Escanaba Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Escanaba Lake
Escanaba Lake is a serious fishing destination in Vilas County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 303 acres and up to 26 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, Panfish, and Walleye.
Bottom composition: 10% sand, 30% gravel, 40% rock, 20% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.06410° N, 89.58600° W
WBIC 2339900 · 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
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 Escanaba Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Escanaba Lake — 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 Escanaba Lake?
Escanaba Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Escanaba Lake?
Yes — Escanaba Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Escanaba Lake?
Escanaba Lake has 303 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 26 feet, a mean depth of 14 feet.
What is the bottom of Escanaba Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 10% sand, 30% gravel, 40% rock, 20% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Escanaba Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Escanaba Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Escanaba Lake located?
Escanaba Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0641° N, 89.5860° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Escanaba Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Escanaba Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Vilas County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Escanaba Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| 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 | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | June 13, 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. | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 28" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, 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
- 2339900
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 303 acres
- Max Depth
- 26 ft
- Mean Depth
- 14 ft
- Bottom
- 10% sand, 30% gravel, 40% rock, 20% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.0641, -89.5860
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
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Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.