Pickerel Lake
Forest, Langlade County, Wisconsin
About Pickerel Lake
Pickerel Lake earns its reputation as one of Forest, Langlade County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 1,272 acres with a maximum depth of 19 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.39640° N, 88.90890° W
WBIC 388100 · 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
Pickerel Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 1,272 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Pickerel Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Pickerel Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Forest, Langlade County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Pickerel Lake is one of Forest, Langlade 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 Pickerel 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
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, 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 Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Abundant), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Pickerel Lake?
Yes — Pickerel Lake has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Pickerel Lake?
Pickerel Lake has 1,272 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 19 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
Are there invasive species in Pickerel Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Pickerel 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 Pickerel Lake located?
Pickerel Lake is located in Forest, Langlade County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.3964° N, 88.9089° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Pickerel Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Forest, Langlade County lakes. Check our Pickerel Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Forest, Langlade County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Pickerel 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 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" 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
- 388100
- County
- Forest, Langlade County
- Surface Area
- 1,272 acres
- Max Depth
- 19 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.3964, -88.9089
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Pickerel Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (2)
Town of Nashville · 715-478-1038
Town of Nashville · 715-478-1038
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.