Murphy Flowage
Rusk County, Wisconsin
About Murphy Flowage
Murphy Flowage is a prized trout lake in the Rusk County Northwoods — cold, clear, and ideal for fly fishing, a mid-sized lake at 169 acres and up to 14 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers primarily target Panfish. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 0% sand, 5% gravel, 10% rock, 65% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.57530° N, 91.50920° W
WBIC 2110900 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
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 Murphy Flowage? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Murphy Flowage — 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
Present
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese Mystery Snail
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.
Invasive Species Present
Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Japanese Mystery Snail have been documented in Murphy Flowage. 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 Murphy Flowage?
Murphy Flowage is home to Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish (Abundant), and Trout. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Murphy Flowage?
Yes — Murphy Flowage has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Murphy Flowage?
Murphy Flowage has 169 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 14 feet.
What is the bottom of Murphy Flowage like?
The lake bottom is composed of 0% sand, 5% gravel, 10% rock, 65% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Murphy Flowage?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Japanese Mystery Snail have been documented in Murphy Flowage. 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 Murphy Flowage located?
Murphy Flowage is located in Rusk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.5753° N, 91.5092° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Murphy Flowage?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Rusk County lakes. Check our Murphy Flowage vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Rusk County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Murphy Flowage
| 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 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| 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 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. | — |
| 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 15" 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
- 2110900
- County
- Rusk County
- Surface Area
- 169 acres
- Max Depth
- 14 ft
- Bottom
- 0% sand, 5% gravel, 10% rock, 65% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 45.5753, -91.5092
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Murphy Flowage? Let us know.
Boat Landings (2)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.