Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County Fishing
A 1,057-acre Wisconsin lake in Vilas County, down to 57 feet.
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Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County by the numbers
In Vilas County, Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County spreads over 1,057 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 57 feet, with a mean of 20 feet. Sayner lies about 2 miles from the lake. It is a Northern Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex two story lake.
The DNR musky layer includes it: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). WDNR records walleye recruitment here as stocking plus natural reproduction. The WDNR designated waters layer marks it as an Outstanding Resource Water. It lies in the ceded territory, where the walleye bag is three on each water. The DNR fish list names muskellunge, panfish, walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and smallmouth bass. There are 2 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 11.4 feet.
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Each species group in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Musky | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
Walleye in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County: stocking plus natural reproduction. Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County musky status: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
How the DNR describes the Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County fishery
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
- Plum Lake Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Plum Lake Landing1 lane, boarding dock, Town of Plum Lake
Boat landings close to Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
- Razorback Lake RampRazorback Lake, 2 miles north
- Aurora Lake RampAurora Lake, 2 miles northwest
- West Plum Lake RampWest Plum Lake, 2 miles southwest
- Frank Lake AccessFrank Lake, 2 miles northwest
- Lone Tree Lake Carry-In AccessLone Tree Lake, 3 miles north
- West Star Lake Campground Boat LandingStar Lake, 3 miles northeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
The DNR bottom survey for Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County lists 30% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck.
WDNR types Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County: banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, hybrid eurasian / northern water-milfoil, rusty crayfish and spiny waterflea. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
Ordinances in force on Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County: water ski drop-off/pick-up area, rafts, piers, water exhibitions and races, buoy placement, slow-no-wake hours, water skiing restrictions.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
Every species on Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County also falls under this note: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
From the Vilas County section of the guide: Vilas County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (one hook, bait or lure per person; three lines maximum per boat), Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12).
For pike Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County is north of Hwy 10, and the Northern Bass Zone sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Lakes near Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County | 1,057 | 57 | 2 | complex two story | |
| Razorback Lake | 1 mile north | 381 | 35 | 1 | complex cool clear |
| Aurora Lake | 2 miles northwest | 83 | 4 | 1 | simple harsh no fishery |
| Star Lake, Vilas County | 2 miles northeast | 1,219 | 68 | 2 | complex two story |
| West Plum Lake | 2 miles southwest | 69 | 5 | 1 | |
| Frank Lake | 3 miles northwest | 147 | 38 | 1 | complex cool clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
Lakes next door to Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
- Razorback Lake1 mile north
- Aurora Lake2 miles northwest
- Star Lake, Vilas County2 miles northeast
- West Plum Lake2 miles southwest
- Frank Lake3 miles northwest
Minnows and tackle close to Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
- Up North Tradersbait and tackle shop, Sayner, 1 mile
- Last Cast Outfitterssporting goods store, St Germain, 6 miles
- Arbor Vitae Campgroundbait and tackle shop, Arbor Vitae, 9 miles
- Northern Highland Sports LLCsporting goods store, Boulder Junction, 10 miles
- We Tie It Fly Shopfly shop, Boulder Junction, 10 miles
- Jacks Jigsbait and tackle shop, Boulder Junction, 10 miles
Towns within reach of Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
- Sayner2 miles
- Boulder Junction10 miles
- Woodruff11 miles
Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County by county
- Vilas Countyseat: Eagle River
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
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Know the fish of Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County in?
Look in Vilas County, WDNR Northern Region, about 2 miles from Sayner.
How many acres does the WDNR give Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
1,057 acres of water and 57 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County at a public landing?
2 mapped landings, led by Plum Lake Access.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
On file: muskellunge (common), panfish (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present), northern pike (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What size limits apply on Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
How clear does the water in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County run?
Satellite clarity about 11.4 feet (2017). Bottom: 30% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
Up North Traders is about 1 mile from the lake.
Which invasives are in Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County?
banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, hybrid eurasian / northern water-milfoil, rusty crayfish and spiny waterflea, per the WDNR.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Plum Lake near Sayner, Vilas County
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.