Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Marathon County, Wisconsin
About Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is a serious fishing destination in Marathon County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 6,348 acres with a maximum depth of 46 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Northern Pike and Walleye.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 0% gravel, 15% rock, 25% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.74090° N, 89.82140° W
WBIC 1427400 · 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.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Big Eau Pleine Reservoir? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Big Eau Pleine Reservoir — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Big Eau Pleine Reservoir?
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is home to Musky, Northern Pike (Common), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Eau Pleine Reservoir?
Yes — Big Eau Pleine Reservoir has 12 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Big Eau Pleine Reservoir?
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir has 6,348 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 46 feet, a mean depth of 16 feet.
What is the bottom of Big Eau Pleine Reservoir like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 0% gravel, 15% rock, 25% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Big Eau Pleine Reservoir?
No invasive species are currently documented in Big Eau Pleine Reservoir by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Big Eau Pleine Reservoir located?
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is located in Marathon County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.7409° N, 89.8214° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Eau Pleine Reservoir?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Marathon County lakes. Check our Big Eau Pleine Reservoir vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Marathon County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
| 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 And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 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 | The minimum length limit is 32" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | 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. | — |
| 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. | — |
| 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
- 1427400
- County
- Marathon County
- Surface Area
- 6,348 acres
- Max Depth
- 46 ft
- Mean Depth
- 16 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 0% gravel, 15% rock, 25% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 44.7409, -89.8214
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
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Boat Landings (12)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Boat Landing 3
Boat Landing 4
Boat Landing 5
Boat Landing 6
Boat Landing 7
Boat Landing 8
Boat Landing 9
Boat Landing 10
Boat Landing 11
Boat Landing 12
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.