Where
Weed beds, rock bars and the edges of deep water.
When
Late summer and fall are best. Moonrise and moonset get talked about for a reason.
How
Big bucktails, jerkbaits and topwater. Carry long pliers and a big net; most are released.
Best lakes for musky
From DNR data| # | Lake | Abundance | Acres | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellow LakeBurnett County | Abundant · stocked | 2,283 | 9.3 |
| 2 | McKenzie LakeWashburn County | Abundant · stocked | 1,129 | 9.2 |
| 3 | Big Arbor Vitae LakeVilas County | Abundant · stocked | 1,070 | 9.2 |
| 4 | Tiger Cat FlowageSawyer County | Abundant · stocked | 819 | 9.2 |
| 5 | Wabikon LakeForest County | Abundant · stocked | 513 | 9.1 |
| 6 | Roberts LakeForest County | Abundant · stocked | 435 | 9.1 |
| 7 | Moose LakeSawyer County | Abundant | 1,559 | 8.3 |
| 8 | Spider LakeSawyer County | Abundant | 1,194 | 8.2 |
| 9 | Lake ChippewaSawyer County | Common · stocked | 14,593 | 7.9 |
| 10 | Turtle Flambeau FlowageIron County | Common · stocked | 12,942 | 7.9 |
| 11 | Lac Courte OreillesSawyer County | Common · stocked | 5,139 | 7.9 |
| 12 | Lac Vieux DesertVilas County | Common · stocked | 4,017 | 7.9 |
| 13 | Trout LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 3,864 | 7.9 |
| 14 | Pelican LakeOneida County | Common · stocked | 3,545 | 7.9 |
| 15 | Tomahawk LakeOneida County | Common · stocked | 3,462 | 7.9 |
| 16 | Grindstone LakeSawyer County | Common · stocked | 3,176 | 7.9 |
| 17 | Gile FlowageIron County | Common · stocked | 3,138 | 7.9 |
| 18 | North Twin LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 2,871 | 7.9 |
| 19 | Fox LakeDodge County | Common · stocked | 2,713 | 7.9 |
| 20 | Shell LakeWashburn County | Common · stocked | 2,513 | 7.8 |
| 21 | Pewaukee LakeWaukesha County | Common · stocked | 2,437 | 7.8 |
| 22 | Bone LakePolk County | Common · stocked | 1,667 | 7.8 |
| 23 | Big Saint Germain LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,622 | 7.8 |
| 24 | Big Sand LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,427 | 7.8 |
| 25 | Minocqua LakeOneida County | Common · stocked | 1,339 | 7.7 |
| 26 | Squirrel Lake*Vilas County | Common · stocked | 1,309 | 7.7 |
| 27 | Lost Land LakeSawyer County | Common · stocked | 1,264 | 7.7 |
| 28 | Star LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,219 | 7.7 |
| 29 | Okauchee LakeWaukesha County | Common · stocked | 1,210 | 7.7 |
| 30 | Presque Isle LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,165 | 7.7 |
| 31 | Cedar LakeSt Croix County | Common · stocked | 1,120 | 7.7 |
| 32 | Caldron Falls Reservoir*Marinette County | Common · stocked | 1,063 | 7.7 |
| 33 | Plum LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,057 | 7.7 |
| 34 | Teal LakeSawyer County | Common · stocked | 1,024 | 7.7 |
| 35 | Catfish LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 1,012 | 7.7 |
| 36 | Little Saint Germain LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 972 | 7.7 |
| 37 | Cranberry LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 924 | 7.7 |
| 38 | Big Muskellunge LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 897 | 7.7 |
| 39 | Eau Claire LakeEau Claire County | Common · stocked | 870 | 7.7 |
| 40 | Rice LakeBarron County | Common · stocked | 859 | 7.7 |
| 41 | Big LakeOneida County | Common · stocked | 845 | 7.7 |
| 42 | Sissabagama LakeSawyer County | Common · stocked | 805 | 7.7 |
| 43 | Deer LakePolk County | Common · stocked | 786 | 7.7 |
| 44 | Pike LakePrice County | Common · stocked | 741 | 7.7 |
| 45 | High LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 741 | 7.7 |
| 46 | Dam LakeOneida County | Common · stocked | 732 | 7.7 |
| 47 | Shishebogama LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 700 | 7.6 |
| 48 | Rest LakeVilas County | Common · stocked | 655 | 7.6 |
| 49 | Twin LakesVilas County | Common · stocked | 628 | 7.6 |
| 50 | Lake LauraVilas County | Common · stocked | 628 | 7.6 |
Only lakes with finished pages are ranked. Score: how common the DNR says the fish is, recent stocking and lake size.
Season
Statewide, 2026–27| Musky (harvest) | May 2, 2026 – December 31, 2026 |
Lakes can differ. Each lake page shows its own size and bag limits. All seasons →