Trout Lake

 

Vilas County has an amazing array of lakes.  Stretching from Arbor Vitae to Boulder Junction , Trout Lake is one of the County’s largest lakes. At 3,816 acres it is second only to Lac Vieux Desert’s 4,400 acres. At its deepest point it reaches a depth of 117 feet.

 

This lake has great variety of fish species - Bluegill, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge (Muskie), Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Photo to right is by Boulder Junction area photographer, Mike Crowley, © Copyright 2015, Life in the Northwoods.

 

There are four public boat launches dotted around the lake. To the south there is The Bardon Street Ramp which is a carry-in ramp in Arbor Vitae. Take Day Lake Road off Hwy 51 north of Arbor Vitae to Bardon Road and continue east to the ramp. This is an unimproved ramp with a depth of less than three feet. There is parking for up to five vehicles and no parking for vehicles with trailers.

 

On the opposite side of the lake in Boulder Junction is the North Trout Lake Access. It is located at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and County Road M. There is a single paved lane for the launch ramp with a depth of less than three feet. Parking accommodates 11-15 vehicles and 11-15 vehicles with trailers.

 

On the northeast shore in Boulder Junction is the Trout Lake Access 1. This access is off Highway M, south of Boulder Junction, north of the North Trout Lake Access. This is a single, paved ramp access with a depth of less than three feet. There is parking for 11-15 vehicles and 6-10 vehicles with trailers.

 

The last boat launch is the Trout Lake Access 2 that is on the southeast end of Trout Lake. This is also off County Highway M, northeast of County Highway N. There is one paved ramp that with a launch depth of less than three feet. There are 6- 10 vehicle parking stalls and 6-10 vehicles with trailers parking spots.

 

This lake is very popular for canoeing and kayaking and the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce has a webpage with several suggested routes described for a memorable trip.

 

There is plenty of camping in the Northern Highland American Legion State forest at the North and South Trout Lake Campgrounds. Check out Hoffman’s Trout Lake, Red Crown Lodge and Pap-Qua Estates websites for lakeside vacation accommodations.