Buskey Bay
Bayfield County, Wisconsin
About Buskey Bay
Buskey Bay is a serious fishing destination in Bayfield County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a intimate 88-acre lake reaching 51 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 40% sand, 10% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
46.52790° N, 91.37490° W
WBIC 2903800 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Buskey Bay has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 88-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Buskey Bay are coming soon. Know a great spot near Buskey Bay? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Bayfield County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Buskey Bay is one of Bayfield County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Buskey Bay that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Buskey Bay. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Buskey Bay?
Buskey Bay is home to Largemouth Bass (Abundant), Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Buskey Bay?
Yes — Buskey Bay has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Buskey Bay?
Buskey Bay has 88 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 51 feet, a mean depth of 15 feet.
What is the bottom of Buskey Bay like?
The lake bottom is composed of 40% sand, 10% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Buskey Bay?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Buskey Bay. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Buskey Bay located?
Buskey Bay is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.5279° N, 91.3749° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Buskey Bay?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Bayfield County lakes. Check our Buskey Bay vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Bayfield County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Buskey Bay
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | Five largemouth and smallmouth bass in total may be kept, but only one may be a smallmouth bass and it must be at least 18". | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" 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. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | 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. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 18", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 22" to 28" may not be kept. The daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2903800
- County
- Bayfield County
- Surface Area
- 88 acres
- Max Depth
- 51 ft
- Mean Depth
- 15 ft
- Bottom
- 40% sand, 10% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.5279, -91.3749
Nearby Trails
Bois Brule River
44 mi · Douglas County
North Country National Scenic Trail — Wisconsin
220 mi · Douglas/Bayfield/Ashland/Iron County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Buskey Bay? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Iron River · 715-372-5457
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.