My Waters

Since the turn of the century when the first "Fisherman's Specials" plied their weekly way north, the Lakeland area has been a storied land of legendary fishing. The Minocqua - Arbor Vitae - Woodruff area, in Wisconsin, has one of the largest concentration of fresh-water lakes in the world, with over 3,200. The area has countless streams and brooks, and is also the headwaters of the two largest river basins in Wisconsin: the Wisconsin River and the Chippewa-Flambeau Systems. All of these waters are teaming with a wonderful variety of sport and panfish.

The Minocqua fishing area covers approximately 101 square miles and includes the popular tourism communities of Minocqua, Woodruff, Arbor Vitae, and a small portion of the Lac du Flambeau Indian reservation.  There are roughly 68 lakes to fish from in the area.  Many of the more famous waters include Big Arbor Vitae, Little Arbor Vitae, Minocqua, Kawaguesaga, Squirrel, Squaw, Clear, Madeline, and Carrol Lakes.

As a group these lakes are mostly clear lakes with a diversified fishery.  Forty-nine of the 68 lakes have some form of public access.  These accesses range from highly developed Type 1 facilities to difficult to find subdivision or wilderness sites.  The area possesses several true wilderness lakes in the northern half along with popular fishing lakes in the southern and western portions.  Fishing pressure area and success varies tremendously from lake to lake within area.

A wide variety of fishing related services are available in the area.  There area may live bait and tackle shops along highways 51 and 70.  There is also opportunity to obtain a wide range of sporting equipment in the various communities.