Lake Placid

Sawyer County, Wisconsin

178 acres 30 ft max depth 11 ft avg depth 4 fish species Invasives present

About Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a serious fishing destination in Sawyer County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 178 acres and up to 30 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Eurasian Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.

Bottom composition: 80% sand, 2% gravel, 10% rock, 8% muck

Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE

Lake Location

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46.02620° N, 91.28140° W

WBIC 2436500 · Wisconsin DNR

Fish Species

Full table →

Largemouth Bass· CommonMusky· CommonPanfish· CommonWalleye

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.
·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 Placid offers good swimming conditions — A sandy bottom, depths reaching 30 feet. Suitable for most swimmers; wade in near the shoreline and conditions improve quickly.

Nearby Dining

Local dining recommendations for Lake Placid are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Placid? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Sawyer County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.

Insider Tips

Lake Placid is one of Sawyer 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 Placid that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.

Lake Conditions

Water Clarity

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No data

Trophic Status

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No data

Invasive Weeds

Present

Eurasian Water-Milfoil

Seasonal Notes

See below

Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows

Ice typically goes out on Lake Placid in early to mid-April. Water temperatures warm quickly through May, and the lake is usually in prime condition for fishing by the Wisconsin walleye opener (first Saturday in May). On Lake Placid: walleye fishing peaks from the May opener through June and again in October; musky season runs mid-June through October, with the best action in late summer and fall as water temps drop; bass fishing is at its best from late June through August; panfish (bluegill, crappie, perch) bite reliably through the full open-water season. Summer (July–August) brings peak cabin season. Expect the most boat traffic on weekends — early morning hours offer the best combination of calm water and active fish. Fall color typically peaks in Sawyer County in the first two weeks of October. The lake is beautiful and far less crowded than summer — one of the best times to visit for shoulder-season guests. Ice fishing on Lake Placid typically begins in late December and runs through early March. walleye, panfish are the primary targets through the ice.

Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.

Invasive Species Present

Eurasian Water-Milfoil has been documented in Lake Placid. 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 Placid?

Lake Placid is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.

Can you boat on Lake Placid?

Lake Placid 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 Lake Placid?

Lake Placid has 178 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 30 feet, a mean depth of 11 feet.

What is the bottom of Lake Placid like?

The lake bottom is composed of 80% sand, 2% gravel, 10% rock, 8% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.

Are there invasive species in Lake Placid?

Yes — Eurasian Water-Milfoil has been documented in Lake Placid. 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 Placid located?

Lake Placid is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0262° N, 91.2814° W.

Are there vacation rentals on Lake Placid?

Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Sawyer County lakes. Check our Lake Placid vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Sawyer County lake rentals.

Fishing Regulations

Current season regulations for Lake Placid

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, but largemouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5.	—
Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass	June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027	No minimum length, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. 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.	—
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 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.	—