Lake Lucerne
Forest County, Wisconsin
About Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne earns its reputation as one of Forest County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 1,039 acres with a maximum depth of 73 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Phragmites (non-native), Rainbow Smelt, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 50% sand, 12% gravel, 36% rock, 2% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINED
Lake Location
45.52690° N, 88.84650° W
WBIC 396500 · 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.
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·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
Lake Lucerne has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 1,039 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Lake Lucerne are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Lucerne? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Forest County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Lake Lucerne is one of Forest 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 Lake Lucerne 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
Banded Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Phragmites (non-native), Rainbow Smelt, Rusty Crayfish
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
Banded Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Phragmites (non-native) and Rainbow Smelt and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Lake Lucerne. 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 Lake Lucerne?
Lake Lucerne is home to Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass (Abundant), Trout, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Lucerne?
Yes — Lake Lucerne has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Lucerne?
Lake Lucerne has 1,039 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 73 feet, a mean depth of 31 feet.
What is the bottom of Lake Lucerne like?
The lake bottom is composed of 50% sand, 12% gravel, 36% rock, 2% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Lake Lucerne?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Phragmites (non-native) and Rainbow Smelt and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Lake Lucerne. 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 Lake Lucerne located?
Lake Lucerne is located in Forest County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.5269° N, 88.8465° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Lucerne?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Forest County lakes. Check our Lake Lucerne vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Forest County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Lucerne
| 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. | — |
| 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 limit is 18" and 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
- 396500
- County
- Forest County
- Surface Area
- 1,039 acres
- Max Depth
- 73 ft
- Mean Depth
- 31 ft
- Bottom
- 50% sand, 12% gravel, 36% rock, 2% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.5269, -88.8465
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Lucerne? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Fish Biologist · (715) 528-4400
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.