Chain Lake
Rusk, Chippewa County, Wisconsin
About Chain Lake
Chain Lake is a serious fishing destination in Rusk, Chippewa County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 454 acres and up to 74 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.29770° N, 91.42990° W
WBIC 2350500 · 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
Chain Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. The 454-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Chain Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Chain Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Rusk, Chippewa County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Chain Lake is one of Rusk, Chippewa 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 Chain 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, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, 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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Chain 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 Chain Lake?
Chain Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Chain Lake?
Chain Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Chain Lake?
Chain Lake has 454 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 74 feet, a mean depth of 18 feet.
Are there invasive species in Chain Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Chain 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 Chain Lake located?
Chain Lake is located in Rusk, Chippewa County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.2977° N, 91.4299° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Chain Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Rusk, Chippewa County lakes. Check our Chain Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Rusk, Chippewa County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Chain 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 And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 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 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 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
- 2350500
- County
- Rusk, Chippewa County
- Surface Area
- 454 acres
- Max Depth
- 74 ft
- Mean Depth
- 18 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.2977, -91.4299
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Chain Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.