Big Arbor Vitae Lake Fishing: Depth Map, Best Times & Rules

Today on Big Arbor Vitae

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Best fishing times

All fish

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Times by species available in Premium

Wind & weather

National Weather Service

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What Big Arbor Vitae is best for

DNR data

WalleyeAbundant · stocked

9.8

MuskyAbundant · stocked

9.2

BluegillPanfish, common

6.7

PerchPanfish, common

6.7

CrappiePanfish, common

6.7

LargemouthCommon

6.7

How we rate

Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.

Depth map

Traced from DNR survey

Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move. Switch to the DNR map to see everything the surveyors marked.

✕ Deepest spot, 41 ftDNR survey map (PDF)

Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.

Rules on this lake

DNR · checked 2026-10-07

Walleye	15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027	Open
Musky	40" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water	Open
Bass	14" min · 5 a dayJune 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027	Open
Panfish	No size limit · 25 a dayOpen All Year	Open
Sturgeon	No fishing	Closed

LicenseWisconsin fishing license. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here. How to buy one →

Full rules from the DNR

Launches & access

2 public

Boat LaunchDirections
Boat Landing At Big Arbor Vitae DrDirections

Bottomsand 40% · gravel 35% · muck 15% · rock 10%

WaterEutrophic, low clarity

Parks3

Lake groupBig Arbor Vitae Lake Association

Stocking

DNR records

2025	15,730 walleye large fingerling, 6.66" 300 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.4"
2022	535 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.8"
2019	498 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.2"
2016	500 muskellunge large fingerling, 10.66" 6 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.9"
2013	497 muskellunge large fingerling, 9.7" 9 muskellunge large fingerling, 8.1"

The DNR has 92 fish surveys on file for this lake.

Before you go

DNR

How often it's safe to eat

This is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.

Eat any amount Bluegill and Sunfish, Bullheads, Crappies, Inland Trout, Yellow Perch

Up to 1 meal a week Bass, Catfish, Pike, Walleye, All Other Species and Sizes

Up to 1 meal a month Muskies

Statewide advice; no lake-specific advisory. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR details

Invasive species here

Banded Mystery Snail · Chinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Purple Loosestrife · Rusty Crayfish

Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.

Reviews

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Near Big Arbor Vitae

Local deals

Local bait shops, resorts and supper clubs can put a coupon here and on the printed sheet, free for a year. Add your business

Big Arbor Vitae board

Catches & reports

Lakes near Big Arbor Vitae

Within 25 miles

Lake	Miles	Acres	Max depth
Erickson LakeVilas	1.8	106	18 ft
Little Arbor Vitae LakeVilas	1.9	534	32 ft
Bittersweet LakeVilas	2.3	104	31 ft
Madeline LakeVilas	2.4	159	17 ft
Roach LakeVilas	2.5	51	48 ft
Arrowhead LakeVilas	2.6	99	43 ft
Trilby LakeVilas	2.7	92	12 ft
Carrol LakeVilas	2.8	352	27 ft

Big Arbor Vitae questions

How deep is Big Arbor Vitae Lake?

Big Arbor Vitae Lake is 41 feet at its deepest, and 18 feet deep on average. It covers 1,070 acres.

What fish are in Big Arbor Vitae Lake?

The Wisconsin DNR lists musky (abundant), walleye (abundant), panfish (common) and largemouth bass (common).

Where is the boat launch on Big Arbor Vitae Lake?

There are 2 public launches: Boat Launch and Boat Landing At Big Arbor Vitae Dr.

Do I need a trout stamp to fish Big Arbor Vitae Lake?

A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.

What is the walleye limit on Big Arbor Vitae Lake?

15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a day. Season: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

Is Big Arbor Vitae Lake stocked?

Yes. In 2025 the DNR and partners stocked 15,730 walleye (large fingerling) and 300 muskellunge (large fingerling).

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Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-08.

Big Arbor Vitae Lake