Trout Lake, Vilas County Fishing
A 3,864-acre Wisconsin lake in Vilas County, down to 117 feet.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
About Trout Lake, Vilas County
Count on 3,864 acres of lake water at Trout Lake, Vilas County, which sits in Vilas County. Its deepest sounding is 117 feet, with a mean of 49 feet. The closest town on the Census list is Boulder Junction, roughly 5 miles off. WDNR places it in its Northern Region. WDNR calls it a complex two story lake by class.
The musky designation reads natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). WDNR lists it among trout lakes or spring ponds. Wisconsin lists it as an Outstanding Resource Water. The ceded territory boundary takes it in. Anglers can look for muskellunge, northern pike, panfish, smallmouth bass, trout and walleye, per the WDNR. 4 public boat landings serve the lake. Landsat estimates give about 10.2 feet of clarity (2017).
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Species and abundance at Trout Lake, Vilas County
The Trout Lake, Vilas County fish groups below carry their WDNR abundance rating.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Trout | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
Musky management at Trout Lake, Vilas County: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
What the lake class means for Trout Lake, Vilas County
“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.
Public ramps at Trout Lake, Vilas County
- Trout Lake – North Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Trout Lake – South Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Trout Lake Access 11 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
- Bardon Road Carry-in Boat Landingcarry-in, NHAL Recreation Team Leader
More boat ramps around Trout Lake, Vilas County
- Little John Lake RampLittle John Lake, 2 miles southeast
- Allequash Lake AccessAllequash Lake, 2 miles east
- Diamond Lake Boat RampDiamond Lake, 2 miles west
- Sparkling Lake Carry-in AccessSparkling Lake, 2 miles southwest
- Day Lake Boat RampDay Lake, 3 miles northwest
- Sparkling LakeSparkling Lake, 3 miles southwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
The water in Trout Lake, Vilas County
The WDNR describes the bottom of Trout Lake, Vilas County as 30% sand, 40% gravel, 20% rock, 10% muck.
In WDNR terms Trout Lake, Vilas County is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Confirmed invasive species at Trout Lake, Vilas County include banded mystery snail, rusty crayfish and spiny waterflea. Inspect trailers before moving to another lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
WDNR rules posted for Trout Lake, Vilas County
This table repeats the WDNR rule set filed under Trout Lake, 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. |
A blanket rule for Trout Lake, Vilas County: 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.
The guide adds for Vilas County: 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).
By map position Trout Lake, Vilas County sits north of the Hwy 10 pike line and in the Northern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
What the DNR has stocked in Trout Lake, Vilas County
The WDNR stocking summary shows 6 releases in Trout Lake, Vilas County from 2023 to 2025, 261,808 fish in all.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12.2 in | 964 |
| 2025 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.58 in | 132,010 |
| 2024 | Lake trout | yearling | 7.2 in | 15,753 |
| 2023 | Lake trout | yearling | 7.1 in | 15,736 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12.3 in | 965 |
| 2023 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.73 in | 96,380 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Measuring Trout Lake, Vilas County against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout Lake, Vilas County | 3,864 | 117 | 4 | complex two story | |
| Allequash Lake | 2 miles east | 406 | 24 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Day Lake, Vilas County | 2 miles northwest | 110 | 57 | 1 | simple cool clear |
| Diamond Lake, Vilas County | 2 miles west | 115 | 40 | 1 | complex cool clear |
| Little John Lake | 2 miles southeast | 151 | 19 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Sparkling Lake | 3 miles southwest | 157 | 60 | 2 | complex two story |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Next to Trout Lake, Vilas County
Nearby lakes to try after Trout Lake, Vilas County
- Allequash Lake2 miles east
- Day Lake, Vilas County2 miles northwest
- Diamond Lake, Vilas County2 miles west
- Little John Lake2 miles southeast
- Sparkling Lake3 miles southwest
Bait counters near Trout Lake, Vilas County
- Northern Highland Sports LLCsporting goods store, Boulder Junction, 5 miles
- Jacks Jigsbait and tackle shop, Boulder Junction, 5 miles
- We Tie It Fly Shopfly shop, Boulder Junction, 5 miles
- Townline Sportssporting goods store, Manitowish Waters, 7 miles
- Up North Tradersbait and tackle shop, Sayner, 8 miles
- Arbor Vitae Campgroundbait and tackle shop, Arbor Vitae, 9 miles
Overnight towns handy to Trout Lake, Vilas County
- Boulder Junction5 miles
- Sayner7 miles
- Woodruff10 miles
Which counties Trout Lake, Vilas County touches
- Vilas Countyseat: Eagle River
Reels and a scale grip to bring to Trout Lake, Vilas County
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Photographs from waters near Trout Lake, Vilas County
Photo: Chris Rycroft, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Squirrel lake, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: NEON Science, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trout Lake, Vilas County, answered in a line or two
What part of Wisconsin holds Trout Lake, Vilas County?
You will find it in Vilas County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Boulder Junction.
What size is Trout Lake, Vilas County on the WDNR record?
3,864 acres and 117 feet at the deepest.
Where is the ramp on Trout Lake, Vilas County?
4 mapped landings, including Trout Lake – North Access.
Which fish live in Trout Lake, Vilas County?
The DNR list shows muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), panfish (common), smallmouth bass (common), trout (common), walleye (common) and largemouth bass (present).
What daily bag limits does the WDNR post for Trout Lake, Vilas County?
WDNR lists Walleye, sauger and hybrids as 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.
Do I need a Wisconsin license for Trout Lake, Vilas County?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
What kind of lake is Trout Lake, Vilas County?
Satellite clarity about 10.2 feet (2017). Bottom: 30% sand, 40% gravel, 20% rock, 10% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Who sells bait near Trout Lake, Vilas County?
Northern Highland Sports LLC, about 5 miles away.
How many fish were stocked in Trout Lake, Vilas County?
Most recently 2025, with 964 muskellunge and 132,010 walleye.
Mark Trout Lake, Vilas County on the Wisconsin calendar
Licenses, stamps and statewide rules are on the license page.