West Plum Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About West Plum Lake
West Plum Lake is a scenic Vilas County lake worth knowing about, a intimate 69-acre lake reaching 5 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.98680° N, 89.56510° W
WBIC 1592500 · Wisconsin DNRLocal's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
West Plum Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. The 69-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for West Plum Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near West Plum 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
West Plum 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 West Plum 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
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 has been documented in West Plum Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a public boat launch on West Plum Lake?
Yes — West Plum Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is West Plum Lake?
West Plum Lake has 69 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 5 feet.
Are there invasive species in West Plum Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in West Plum 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 West Plum Lake located?
West Plum Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9868° N, 89.5651° W.
Are there vacation rentals on West Plum Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our West Plum 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 West Plum 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 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| 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
- 1592500
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 69 acres
- Max Depth
- 5 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.9868, -89.5651
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near West Plum 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 4/29/2026.