Gunlock Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Gunlock Lake
Gunlock Lake is a serious fishing destination in Vilas County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 264 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, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Purple Loosestrife) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 90% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SPRING
Lake Location
45.91290° N, 89.82000° W
WBIC 1539700 · 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 Gunlock Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Gunlock 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
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Purple Loosestrife
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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Gunlock 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 Gunlock Lake?
Gunlock Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish (Abundant), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Gunlock Lake?
Yes — Gunlock Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Gunlock Lake?
Gunlock Lake has 264 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 26 feet, a mean depth of 12 feet.
What is the bottom of Gunlock Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 90% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Gunlock Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Gunlock 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 Gunlock Lake located?
Gunlock Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9129° N, 89.8200° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Gunlock Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Gunlock 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 Gunlock 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 | 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. | — |
| 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 25, 25 panfish of any size may be kept, except 5 or fewer can be bluegill and pumpkinseed over 7 inches. | — |
| 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 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
- 1539700
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 264 acres
- Max Depth
- 26 ft
- Mean Depth
- 12 ft
- Bottom
- 90% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.9129, -89.8200
Nearby Trails
Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
0 mi · Iron/Price County
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Trails
800 mi · Bayfield/Ashland/Vilas/Langlade/Oconto/Florence/Forest County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Gunlock Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.