Vilas County Lakes & Waterways
Vilas County Information
Vilas County is home to one of the largest collections of freshwater lakes in the world, with more than 1,300 beautiful lakes and 73 rivers and streams. Boaters and paddlers can explore remote wilderness lakes, expansive lake chains and beautiful backcountry rivers throughout Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Anglers will find some of the best fishing in the Midwest. Swimmers and watersports lovers enjoy good times in crystal-clear waters.
Lakes & Waterways
- Guido Rahr Sr. Tenderfoot
Forest Preserve Trail - NHAL Canoe Trip #1
- NHAL Canoe Trip #2
- NHAL Canoe Trip #3
- NHAL Canoe Trip #5
- WI River Centennial Trail-Trip 1
- WI River Centennial Trail-Trip 2
Beaches
Vilas County is home to some of the most pristine swimming lakes in the Midwest. There's nothing like a refreshing swim in a glacial lake's crystal-clear water. You'll find plenty of fantastic swimming opportunities in Wisconsin's Northwoods, whether you want to go wading, take a quick dip, or go for a longer swim along the coast. Lakes in Vilas County also have calm, shallow waters that are ideal for young children.
Relax on the soft sand of a Vilas County beach when you return to shore. Enjoy the quiet of northern Wisconsin while soaking up the sun. A wading bird or a jumping fish may be your only company at the lake on certain mornings. When you're on the beach in Vilas County, relax with a good book, catch up with friends or family, or simply contemplate on how wonderful life is.
Here are some public beaches worth exploring:
Nichols Beach Park & Beach
Nichols Beach is a great family-friendly swimming area just 2.5 miles from downtown Boulder Junction. Its shallow water and gentle entry make it a good bet for kids. To find the beach, follow Highway K west, turn left on Highway H and left onto Nichols Lake Lane. At the end of Nichols’ Lane you’ll find a parking area for the beach. Dog friendly.
North Trout Lake Park & Beach
Located just south of Boulder Junction, North Trout Lake is another great place for a summer swim. Trout Lake is the largest lake around Boulder Junction and it has some very scenic spots along the shoreline. The beach is one of those spots – you’ll find it about 3 miles south of Boulder Junction off County M, near the boat landing. NOT dog friendly.
Conover | 866.394.4386
Hunter Lake Park & Beach
The park is located on the southeast shore of Hunter Lake at 5710 Hunter Landing Road. The swim area is accessed via the sandy beach, and while the swim area is designated with buoy markers, there is no lifeguard on duty. The park contains 2 fire rings with attached grates and 6 picnic tables. There are informal horseshoe pits and a swing set in the play area, and an unimproved boat launch, providing boating and fishing opportunities. The comfort station is located near the parking lot. NOT dog friendly.
Torch Lake Park & Beach
The park is located on the southeast shore of Torch Lake at 5101 Torch Lake Road. The swim area is accessed via the sandy beach, and while the swim area is designated with buoy markers, there is no lifeguard on duty. The park contains a fire ring with an attached grate, 3 cooking grills, and 10 picnic tables. There is a horseshoe pit and a swing set in the play area. There is no formal boat landing, but there is plenty of room to carry a kayak or canoe to the water’s edge for boating and fishing opportunities. The comfort station is located near the parking lot. Torch Lake Campground & RV Park adjacent. NOT dog friendly.
Eagle River | 800.359.6315
Eagle Lake County Park & Beach
Eagle Lake County Park is located at 4105 W. Eagle Pines Road off Chain O’Lakes Road, approximately 4 miles (driving distance) northeast of Eagle River. The park is also easily accessible via water. It is located on the World-Famous Chain of 28 Lakes, on the north shore of beautiful 575-acre Eagle Lake. It offers bird watching opportunities as well as a spectacular view of the lake. NOT dog friendly.
Silver Lake Park & Beach
Located just outside Eagle River at 932 Silver Lake Road. The park has a beach, picnic tables, a playground, public bathrooms, and a lifeguard on duty at scheduled times. NOT dog friendly.
Land O’ Lakes | 715.547.3432
Black Oak Lake Park & Beach
Black Oak Lake is hailed as the clearest lake in Wisconsin. The public beach is adjacent to County Hwy. B, and has changing room and bathrooms available. Dog friendly.
Minocqua Area | 800.446.6784
Big Arbor Vitae Park & Beach
Located at 1762 Buckhorn Road in Arbor Vitae, this park includes a beach, picnic tables, grills, a boat landing, and public restrooms. Dog friendly.
Brandy Lake Park & Beach
Brandy Park and Beach is located at 326 Lemma Creek Road in Woodruff. The park’s facilities include a disc golf course, two baseball fields with fencing and bleachers; two tennis courts with fencing; a soccer field with lighting; a large shelter building with grills and picnic tables; two sand volleyball courts; a paved full basketball court; a skate park, playground equipment; a swimming beach with pier, changing house and restroom facilities; a shoreline picnic area with tables and grills; and a paved walkway from the shelter to the beach parking area. Winter facilities include an ice-skating rink. NOT pet friendly.
Torpy Park
Torpy Park is located in Downtown Minocqua, at 705 Hwy. 51. The park is a 4-acre waterfront park with a beach, restrooms, pavilion, picnic shelter, grills and tables, tennis courts, playground, sand volleyball court, an ice-skating rink during the winter months. Dogs are NOT allowed in the beach area.
Manitowish Waters | 715.543.8488
Little Star Lake Park & Beach
Located ½ mile west of Highway 51 on Park Road. The park’s facilities include a beach/buoyed swim area, picnic tables, grills, hand water pump, pit toilets, and is accessible by watercraft. Dog friendly.
Koller Park
Located at 6014 County Hwy. W. The part’s facilities include public piers, fishing pier, grills, picnic tables, public restroom, non-buoyed/swim-at-your-risk beach area. Dog friendly.
Rest Lake Park
Located on County Highway W across from the Lakeland Discovery Center. The park’s facilities include a public boat landing, pavilion, picnic tables, grills, water hand pump, pit toilets, and a non-buoyed/swim-at-your-own-risk beach area. Dog friendly.
Sayner/Star Lake
Crystal Lake Park & Beach
This popular swimming spot is located in the Crystal Lake Campground in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. A state vehicle sticker is required. It’s located right on the Heart of Vilas County Paved Bike Trail System, so it’s possible to pedal right to the beach. The lake earns its name – the water has amazing clarity. The beach is about 5 miles from downtown Sayner on County N. NOT dog friendly.
Old Mill Site Park & Beach
Located at 7877 Statehouse Rd in Star Lake. The park includes a handicapped fishing pier, modern pit toilets, picnic tables, playground equipment, pavilion, and beach area. Dog friendly.
BOATING
Vilas County is a land filled with beautiful lakes—1,300 of them, to be exact. There’s nothing like hitting the water in Wisconsin’s Northwoods: the lakes offer clear water, undeveloped shores and plenty of fish and wildlife. While there are countless beautiful views from shore, there’s a whole different perspective to be enjoyed out on the water.
If your idea of a perfect day is finding yourself purposely adrift on a small, undeveloped lake, there’s no shortage of opportunities in northern Wisconsin. If you would like to cruise along the shoreline in a pontoon boat, check out one of our world-class chains of lakes. You can find short, pleasant routes as well as routes that will fill a whole day with fun. In all, Vilas County has more than 1,700 miles of shoreline, so the cruising options are almost limitless in the Northwoods.
If you’re an angler, you’ll find some of the best freshwater fishing on the planet. If you’re into watersports, get ready for fun: Vilas County lakes have plenty of room for waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding and more.
If you want to pilot your own boat (captain’s hat recommended but not required), check out this boating information. Certification is required for anyone who’s at least 16 years old and born after Dec. 31, 1988, who wants to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft.
Affordable boat rentals are also available in Vilas County, as are boat tours. Vilas County also has plenty of places to gas up the boat, and there are lots of fun restaurants where you can leave the boat tied up while you dine. There’s nothing more delicious than a lakeside hamburger enjoyed after a long day in the sun with some friends. Boat landings are never far away and there are lots of places where you and your boat can stay right on the water in northern Wisconsin.
Fishing
Vilas County is home to one of the largest concentrations of freshwater lakes on earth. The county boasts some of the best smallmouth bass, walleye and musky fishing in North America. In addition, these northern Wisconsin lakes have exceptional fishing for crappie, bluegill, northern pike and more. More than 1,300 lakes and 73 rivers and streams provide a fishing variety you’ll find nowhere else.
While Vilas County lakes range in size from pristine woodland trout ponds to endless chains of lakes, crystal-clear water and wooded shorelines are the rule. For more than a century, Vilas County has been the fishing destination of choice for anglers from around the Midwest. Spring, summer, fall and winter, Vilas County is the place to fish in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
You’ll need a fishing license, unless you’re under the age of 16, born before 1927 or are a Wisconsin resident who is on break from active military duty. Find a sales location here.
See Vilas County fishing reports:
- Eagle River Weekly Fishing Report - https://eagleriver.org/fish/
- Lake-Link - https://www.lake-link.com/wisconsin-fishing-reports/vilas-county-lakes-vilas-county/4476/
- Upnorthfishing.com - http://www.upnorthfishing.com/fishing-report-areas.htm
- Wisconsin DNR Outdoor Report - https://dnr.wi.gov/news/or/
FISHING GUIDE: THE LAKES OF VILAS COUNTY
With 1,300 lakes and 73 rivers and streams, Vilas County has nearly limitless places to cast a line. There are big lakes with plenty of open water to test as well as small lakes that are rarely fished.
Here are some answers to a few common questions.
What can I catch in Vilas County?
Vilas County lakes have exceptional fishing for crappie, bluegill, northern pike and more. The lake grid breaks down the most common fish by lake—use it to locate the most productive waters.
Where can I find a good fishing lake?
You won’t have to look very hard! You can barely drive a country mile in Vilas County without passing a decent fishing lake. The lake grid details waters with public access. The grid includes species of fish, the size and depth of each lake and boat launch details, along with GPS coordinates for each lake. Just copy and paste the coordinates into an Internet browser and you’ll see the lake on a map.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes – you’ll need a fishing license, unless you’re under the age of 16, born before 1927 or are a Wisconsin resident who is on break from active military duty. They are easy to get. You can apply online or find sales locations here. Vilas County also has plenty of shops well-stocked with bait and tackle.
Does Vilas County have any fishing events coming up?
There are tournaments for competitive anglers, seminars for those who want to learn more and special events for kids. See a list of upcoming Vilas County fishing events. https://www.vilaswi.com/events/?tribe-bar-search=fish
Do I need a boat to fish in Vilas County?
No! There are endless places to enjoy shore fishing. You’ll find accessible piers and shore fishing at Upper Gresham Lake in Boulder Junction, Rest Lake in Manitowish Waters, Star Lake in Sayner-Star Lake or several locations in Presque Isle, including Big Horsehead Lake, Little Horsehead Lake and Oxbow Lake.
How can I be sure to land a big fish?
There are no guarantees in life, but we’ll guarantee that your chances of success will improve drastically if you hire a fishing guide. Guides can share lessons you’ll use for a lifetime in Vilas County and they are a bargain when you factor in the great value of being able to use their boat and equipment.
Vilas County Lake Grid:
https://www.vilaswi.com/upnorth/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/LakesGrid-2020.pdf?x62367
Paddling
With more than 1,300 lakes and 73 rivers and streams, Vilas County has plenty of opportunities for paddling trips. Take a canoe or kayak trip down one of the rivers or explore miles of water on the many lake chains scattered throughout Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Spend an afternoon paddling your kayak or take a weeklong canoe trip.
There’s no shortage of good paddling waters in northern Wisconsin. A number of quiet lakes in Vilas County—many of them non-motor waters—provide unmatched serenity for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The Wisconsin and Manitowish Rivers offer more outstanding opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and paddling.
Paddling Trails
- Guido Rahr Sr. Tenderfoot
Forest Preserve Trail - NHAL Canoe Trip #1
- NHAL Canoe Trip #2
- NHAL Canoe Trip #3
- NHAL Canoe Trip #5
- WI River Centennial Trail-Trip 1
- WI River Centennial Trail-Trip 2
Vilas County Paddling Trail Grid: https://www.vilaswi.com/paddling-trail-grid/