Walleye fishing at Deer Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 10 to 34 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 34 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 15 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Deer Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 34 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 29 ft, rated prime for fall yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Deer Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 15 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Crappie fishing at Deer Lake

Spring crappie on Deer Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 34 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 29 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Bluegill fishing at Deer Lake

In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. They move out to 4 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 15 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.

Pumpkinseed fishing at Deer Lake

Spring pumpkinseed on Deer Lake hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. They move out to 2 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 15 ft that scores good in winter. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) gets it done.

How deep is Deer Lake?

Deer Lake is about 34 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Deer Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed on Deer Lake. These come from the Wisconsin DNR's per-lake fish listing; where the DNR lists a group (panfish, catfish, trout) the specific species are resolved from Wisconsin's fish distribution by the lake's location, depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Deer Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Deer Lake?

For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.