Whitefish Lake
Douglas County, Wisconsin
About Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake earns its reputation as one of Douglas County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 848 acres with a maximum depth of 102 feet. 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, Rainbow Smelt) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 99% sand, 1% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
46.21390° N, 91.87220° W
WBIC 2694000 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
Whitefish Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 848 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Whitefish Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Whitefish Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Douglas County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Whitefish Lake is one of Douglas 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 Whitefish Lake 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, Rainbow Smelt
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 Rainbow Smelt have been documented in Whitefish Lake. 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 Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), 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 Whitefish Lake?
Yes — Whitefish Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake has 848 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 102 feet, a mean depth of 30 feet.
What is the bottom of Whitefish Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 99% sand, 1% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Whitefish Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Rainbow Smelt have been documented in Whitefish Lake. 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 Whitefish Lake located?
Whitefish Lake is located in Douglas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.2139° N, 91.8722° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Whitefish Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Douglas County lakes. Check our Whitefish Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Douglas County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Whitefish Lake
| 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 limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, of which only one smallmouth bass may be kept, and it must be over 18 inches. | — |
| 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 | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | 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). | — |
| 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 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. | — |
| 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
- 2694000
- County
- Douglas County
- Surface Area
- 848 acres
- Max Depth
- 102 ft
- Mean Depth
- 30 ft
- Bottom
- 99% sand, 1% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.2139, -91.8722
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Whitefish Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Property Manager · (715) 634-9658 ext. 3520
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.