Little Spider Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Little Spider Lake
Little Spider Lake is a serious fishing destination in Vilas County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 223 acres and up to 23 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Anglers primarily target Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 70% sand, 25% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.97110° N, 89.70840° W
WBIC 1540400 · 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
Little Spider Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 223-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Little Spider Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Little Spider 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 Spider 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 Spider 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
Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris
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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Little Spider 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 Spider Lake?
Little Spider Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Musky, Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Little Spider Lake?
Little Spider Lake 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 Little Spider Lake?
Little Spider Lake has 223 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 23 feet, a mean depth of 13 feet.
What is the bottom of Little Spider Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 70% sand, 25% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Little Spider Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris have been documented in Little Spider 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 Spider Lake located?
Little Spider Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9711° N, 89.7084° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Little Spider Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Little Spider 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 Spider 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
- 1540400
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 223 acres
- Max Depth
- 23 ft
- Mean Depth
- 13 ft
- Bottom
- 70% sand, 25% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.9711, -89.7084
Nearby Trails
Explore all Wisconsin trails →Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Little Spider Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.