Plum Lake, WI

History

The Town of Plum Lake, encompassing the two towns of Sayner and Star Lake, had its modest beginnings on April 11, 1911, when it was created out of territory detached from the Town of Arbor Vitae.  The first town meeting was held in Sayner on April 14, 1911.  Sayner got its name from Orrin W. Sayner, who settled the area in 1891, two years before any other settlers took up homes in the town.  A place called Camp 1 got the name of Star Lake in memory of Harry Starr, who was killed while working on the construction of a railroad bridge across the mill hot pond.  The lake was named Starr also.

Geography

The Town of Plum Lake is located in central Vilas County. Much of the town is made up of Vilas County Forest lands or Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 100.1 square miles (259.2 km2), of which, 88.9 square miles (230.3 km2) of it is land and 11.1 square miles (28.8 km2) of it (11.12%) is water.

Population

The population in Plum Lake is 506. There are 6 people per square mile aka population density. The median age in Plum Lake is 59.2, the US median age is 37.4. The number of people per household in Plum Lake is 1.9, the US average of people per household is 2.6.

Family in Plum Lake

• 71.1% are married
• 7.1% are divorced
• 20.0% are married with children
• 4.6% have children, but are single

Race in Plum Lake

• 99.3% are white
• 0.0% are black
• 0.0% are asian
• 0.5% are native american
• 0.0% claim Other
• 0.0% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
• 0.2% Two or More Races
• 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

In terms of age the population of the town was spread out, with 19.8% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 33.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,529, and the median income for a family was $39,519. Males had a median income of $30,795 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,824. About 6.8% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Plum Lake is served by one Wisconsin State Highway and several Vilas County Trunk Highways. Sayner is connected to the rest of the Wisconsin Highway System via STH 155 which runs south to a junction with STH 70 in St. Germain. CTH N runs in two distinct sections through the town. The western section runs west from Sayner serving Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest campgrounds and recreation areas at Crystal Lake, Plum Lake, and Firefly Lake before meeting CTH M and eventually USH 51. This section is often used as a through route for travelers crossing Vilas County as an alternative to STH 70. The eastern section connects Sayner and Star Lake via CTH K, and provides a connection to CTH G and Eagle River. CTH K runs east–west through the town serving the Star Lake area. To the east it runs through mostly Vilas County forest lands to Conover, and to the west CTH K is a Rustic Road between its junction with CTH N and Boulder Junction.

Nearest Airports

• Eagle River Union (15 miles East of Sayner) – 715-479-7442  / 1311 Airport Rd, Eagle River, WI
• Lakeland Airport (15 miles West of Sayner) – 715-356-4340 / 1545 Farming Rd, Woodruff, WI
• Rhinelander/Oneida Co. (45 miles from Sayner) – 715-365-3416 / 3375 Airport Rd, Rhinelander, WI

Schools

Northland Pines School District

• Nicolet Technical College (715) 365-4493
• Northland Pines High School (715) 479-4473
• Northland Pines Middle School (715) 475-6479
• St. Germain Elementary School (715) 542-3632

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Plum Lake: 

• Northcentral Technical College (about 73 miles; Wausau, WI; Full-time enrollment: 3,356) 
• Michigan Technological University (about 89 miles; Houghton, MI; FT enrollment: 6,078) 
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (about 104 miles; Stevens Point, WI; FT enrollment: 9,089) 
• Northern Michigan University (about 108 miles; Marquette, MI; FT enrollment: 8,258) 
• Mid-State Technical College (about 115 miles; Wisconsin Rapids, WI; FT enrollment: 2,128) 
• Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (about 118 miles; Shell Lake, WI; FT enrollment: 2,414) 
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (about 125 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 6,069)

Healthcare

Hospitals and medical centers near Plum Lake: 

• DAVITA – NORTHERN STAR DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 12 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
• DR KATE’S WOODLAND MANOR (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; WOODRUFF, WI) 
• AVANTI HEALTH AND REHABILITATION CENTER, LLC (Nursing Home, about 15 miles away; MINOCQUA, WI) 
• EAGLE RIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (Hospital, about 15 miles away; EAGLE RIVER, WI) 
• EAGLE RIVER HLTH CARE CTR (Nursing Home, about 15 miles away; EAGLE RIVER, WI)

Outdoor Points of Intererst

Experience a Northwoods getaway in beautiful Sayner-Star Lake, Wisconsin. Discover cozy cabins, miles of tranquil trails, crystal clear lakes, expansive forests and amenities to make your vacation perfect! Truly, finding yourself in Sayner-Star Lake will guarantee a vacation you’ll want to replicate over and over again!

Sayner-Star Lake is a year-round sporting paradise!  In the fragrant summer and fall, warm-weather sports abound, whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, golfer, or water sport enthusiast.

In the winter, things don’t have to slow down, hit the snowmobile trails, explore our groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, or enjoy the solitude of ice fishing on a remote lake.  

You’ll find four seasons of fun in Sayner-Star Lake!

Trails

Whether you’re biking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling, experience a close-up of the natural beauty within Sayner-Star Lake and its surroundings. Venture down trails that wind through the woods, over bridges and past crystal clear waters.

Heart of Vilas Bike Trail. One of the most beautiful trails in Wisconsin runs through the heart of Sayner-Star Lake. The nationally recognized Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System is a 52-mile route that travels from St. Germain north to Sayner-Star Lake, to Boulder Junction and on to Manitowish Waters and Mercer. It’s a perfect place for a tranquil walk and it’s a popular cycling route, ideal for families as well as cyclists seeking a longer ride. The paved trail is accessible for wheelchair users. Dogs are also allowed. There are ample parking locations near the trail and public bathrooms.

Star Lake Natural Trail. The picturesque Star Lake Nature Trail is located on a peninsula extending out into Star Lake. Today the site bears little resemblance to a horse pasture or early tree farm. It’s filled with mature trees and picturesque trails that wind along the shore of Star Lake. The trail includes scenic boardwalks and passes ferns and wildflowers. In the winter, it’s a nice place for snowshoeing. There are two loops on the site: the short loop is a mile-long interpretive nature trail; the long loop is a hiking path, 2.5 miles long.

Razorback Ridges. Mountain bikers will find trail riding heaven just outside Sayner. Razorback Ridges is a beautiful trail system containing more than 16 miles of trails for cross-country riding. The trails are also open for hiking, and leashed dogs are allowed.

Trampers Trails. The Trampers Trails are located on the south and west side of Star lake, where an assortment of trails of various lengths traverse beautiful wild areas. The trails wind through wetlands crossing and sometimes following logging roads. Some of the most scenic areas of the trail trace the very edge of Star Lake; gentle waves will lap at your feet at you walk over mossy rocks and pass towering trees. The trail will take you deep into the Plum Lake Hemlock Forest, a near virgin stand of old-growth forest of hemlock, yellow birch, sugar maple, basswood and paper birch.

Great Lakes or Chains

The Plum Lake Township, which encompasses the Sayner-Star Lake region, for example, is very right in highly productive lakes for anglers of all ages and abilities to ply their skills. The most popular bodies of water include Plum, Star, Razorback, Laura, Ballard, and Irving Lakes, all of which contain excellent populations of walleye, musky, bass, and pike, plus all species of native panfish.  All of these lakes can be easily accessed at well-maintained public launch sites and lake maps are available at most sport shops.

Another plus for anglers searching for a peaceful and quiet environment in which to fish is the fact that over eighty percent of the Sayner-Star Lake area is public land owned by the state or Vilas County.  For those anglers who enjoy a wilderness experience, several of the area’s smaller lakes are restricted to electric motors only and/or are walk-in or portage-in lakes with undeveloped shorelines.

Plum Lake. Plum Lake is a 1057 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 57 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

Star Lake. Star Lake is a 1219 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 68 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Razorback Lake. Razorback Lake is a 381 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Laura Lake. Lake Laura is a 628 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 43 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.

Ballard Lake. Ballard Lake is a 503 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 25 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

Irving Lake. Irving Lake is a 419 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 8 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

White Birch Lake. White Birch Lake is a 113 acre lake located in Vilas County. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. The lake’s water clarity is very clear.

Art Centers, Community Centers, and ETC

Recreation Building/Community Center  – 3019 Sayner Avenue, Sayner, WI

Plum Lake Public Library  – 8789 Peterson Street, Sayner, WI

Town Hall  – 8755 Lake Street, Sayner, WI

This building is where all town board meetings are held, generally on the second Tuesday of the Month. All elections are held at the Town Hall.

If you love history, then you’ve come the right place! In downtown Sayner hit the greens at the historic Plum Lake Golf Club, make your way through the Vilas Historical Museum, or see the very first snowmobile at Eliason Lumber. Next, check out fine art and history exhibits in Star Lake at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery, and step back in time at the Old Milltown Depot – a museum dedicated to Star Lake’s historical logging and railroad days. While you’re in Star Lake, be sure to grab an Instagram-worthy photo at the picturesque Fredrickson Bait Shop.  

Average Home Price Sold

2018 Ave Price Sold: $290,033.33

2021 Ave Price Sold: $391,088.89

2023 Ave Price Sold: $334,861.11