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Big Muskellunge Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Big Muskellunge LakeVilas County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours5-foot typical interval · Research survey bathymetry (NTL-LTER) · Not for navigation
Source: North Temperate Lakes LTER surveyhigh confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthSurveyed research bathymetry from the North Temperate Lakes LTER program (University of Wisconsin-Madison, NSF), Northern Highland Lake District bathymetry dataset (knb-lter-ntl.288.4, CC-BY). Real measured contours, not a model. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
Plan your lake day
Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Big Muskellunge Lake.
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Big Muskellunge Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Big Muskellunge Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
71°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
Historical volunteer-monitoring record for this lake.
Last sampled Jul 2020Volunteer monitoring 1973–2020
DNR volunteers monitored this lake for about 47 years, ending in 2020. Its final monitored summers showed crystal clear water (~19 ft Secchi) in 2020, very low algae (chlorophyll ~2 µg/L) in 2004, and very low nutrients (phosphorus ~9 µg/L) in 2004. After 6 years without samples, these readings describe the lake as it was, not as it is.
| Year | Secchi | Chlorophyll-a | Total phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 19.0 ft (1) | — | — |
| 2004 | 23.0 ft (1) | 2.0 µg/L (1) | 9.0 µg/L (1) |
| 1974 | — | — | 30.0 µg/L (1) |
| 1973 | — | — | 20.0 µg/L (1) |
Big Muskellunge Lake - Deep HoleStation 643123
Historical record only — no current water-quality data exists for this lake. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps1 converted map sheetFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Big Muskellunge Lake depth maps
1 converted map sheet. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Big Muskellunge Lake · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 1835300 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
897surface acres
70max depth feet
3public access points
46.0174, -89.6149latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchBig Muskellunge Campground Ramp46.00579, -89.61348Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF PLUM LAKERamp surface: Concrete PlankADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchBig Muskellunge Lake 146.02599, -89.60393Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF PLUM LAKERamp surface: GravelADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchBig Muskellunge Lake Boat Ramp 246.00842, -89.62939Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF BOULDER JUNCTIONRamp surface: Concrete PlankADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Fishery
Notable species
Largemouth BassMuskyPanfishWalleyeNorthern PikeSmallmouth Bass
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2023, when 224 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2023
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
22411.9 in average
2021
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
6713.9 in average
2019
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
25511.2 in average
2017
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
14610.8 in average
2015
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
23211.7 in average
2013
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
2339.2 in average
2011
MuskellungeUpper Wisconsin River · Large Fingerling
4659.3 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Big Muskellunge Lake?
Big Muskellunge Lake is 70 feet deep at its deepest point and averages about 26 feet, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Big Muskellunge Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Big Muskellunge Lake at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from North Temperate Lakes LTER survey survey data.
Where does the Big Muskellunge Lake depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from North Temperate Lakes LTER survey. Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The source is measured research bathymetry from the North Temperate Lakes LTER program; not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Pagesname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-05-25
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