Little Arbor Vitae Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Little Arbor Vitae Lake
Little Arbor Vitae Lake is a serious fishing destination in Vilas County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 480 acres and up to 32 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. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 30% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.91220° N, 89.62260° W
WBIC 1545300 · 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.
- ·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 Little Arbor Vitae Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Little Arbor Vitae 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
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Rusty Crayfish
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 Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Little Arbor Vitae 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 Little Arbor Vitae Lake?
Little Arbor Vitae Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Arbor Vitae Lake?
Yes — Little Arbor Vitae Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Little Arbor Vitae Lake?
Little Arbor Vitae Lake has 480 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 32 feet, a mean depth of 11 feet.
What is the bottom of Little Arbor Vitae Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 30% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Little Arbor Vitae Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Little Arbor Vitae 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 Little Arbor Vitae Lake located?
Little Arbor Vitae Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9122° N, 89.6226° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Little Arbor Vitae Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Little Arbor Vitae 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 Little Arbor Vitae 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 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" 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 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 | No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14" is allowed 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
- 1545300
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 480 acres
- Max Depth
- 32 ft
- Mean Depth
- 11 ft
- Bottom
- 30% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.9122, -89.6226
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
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Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.