Little John Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Little John Lake
Little John Lake is a serious fishing destination in Vilas County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 151 acres and up to 19 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, Trout, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 70% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SPRING
Lake Location
46.01450° N, 89.64530° W
WBIC 2332300 · 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.
- ·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.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Little John Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 151-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Little John Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Little John Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Vilas County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Little John Lake is one of Vilas 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 Little John Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Rusty Crayfish
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.
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 Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Little John 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 John Lake?
Little John Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Trout (Abundant), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Little John Lake?
Yes — Little John Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Little John Lake?
Little John Lake has 151 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 19 feet.
What is the bottom of Little John Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 70% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Little John Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Little John 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 John Lake located?
Little John Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0145° N, 89.6453° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Little John Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Little John 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 John 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 | 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. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2332300
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 151 acres
- Max Depth
- 19 ft
- Bottom
- 70% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.0145, -89.6453
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Little John Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
NHAL Recreation Team Leader · (715) 385-3355 Ext.119
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.