Smoky Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Smoky Lake
Smoky Lake is a prized trout lake in the Vilas County Northwoods — cold, clear, and ideal for fly fishing, covering 612 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Trout. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Rainbow Smelt, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 70% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
46.08640° N, 88.94810° W
WBIC 1018300 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·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
Smoky Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 612 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Smoky Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Smoky 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
Smoky 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 Smoky 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, Rainbow Smelt, 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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Rainbow Smelt and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Smoky 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 Smoky Lake?
Smoky Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Trout. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Smoky Lake?
Yes — Smoky Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Smoky Lake?
Smoky Lake has 612 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 60 feet.
What is the bottom of Smoky 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 Smoky Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Rainbow Smelt and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Smoky 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 Smoky Lake located?
Smoky Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0864° N, 88.9481° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Smoky Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Smoky 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 Smoky Lake
Regulation data is not available for this lake. Check with the Wisconsin DNR for current season rules before fishing.
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 1018300
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 612 acres
- Max Depth
- 60 ft
- Bottom
- 70% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.0864, -88.9481
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Smoky Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Phelps · 715-545-2270
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.