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Fishing Regulations for Escanaba Lake - Vilas County

General Waterbody Restrictions
Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
The use of lead tackle that is less than 1-inch in diameter or less than 1-ounce in weight is prohibited
There is a continuous open season on all or most species all year except for walleye, sauger, and hybrids
This lake is part of the Northern Highland Fishery Research Area. All anglers must check-in at the creel station on Escanaba Lake prior to fishing. Anglers must fill out a free permit and report information about their trip to creel clerks. Fishing hours begin at 4am year round. Closing hours vary with the season. Information is available at the creel station. No fishing is allowed outside of creel station hours.

Fishing Regulations
NOTE: Regulations listed below may not reflect fish species actually found in the lake. See Escanaba Lake's WI DNR Lake Page for more information on this lake's characteristics.
Fish Season Regulation
Bullheads Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Catfish Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Cisco And Whitefish Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Lake Sturgeon Closed There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Largemouth Bass Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Muskellunge And Hybrids Open All Year No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
Northern Pike Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Paddlefish Closed There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Panfish Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Rock, Yellow, And White Bass Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Rough Fish Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Round Goby Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Ruffe Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Shovelnose Sturgeon Closed There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Smallmouth Bass Open All Year There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited.
Trout See specific regulations https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids June 13, 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 There is no minimum length and the bag limit is unlimited, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.

DISCLAIMER: Information on this site is an interpretive summary of Wisconsin's fishing laws and regulations, and only applies to inland lakes. All other regulations, including those for trout and salmon, rivers, and border waters of the state (the Mississippi River or Great Lakes), can be found at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/index.html . For complete fishing laws and regulations, consult the Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 29 and the Administrative Code of the Department of Natural Resources. The regulations listed here may not reflect the exact species found in the lake or flowage. Please check to make sure there is public access and water available for fishing. Consult the Menominee Tribal Legislature for fishing regulations within the boundaries of the Menominee Reservation.

For more information or to report a regulation inconsistency, contact

Fisheries Management