Pickerel Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Pickerel Lake is a pristine 1,272-acre lake in Forest County and Langlade County, Wisconsin. With over ten miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 19 feet, Pickerel Lake is one of over 1,000 naturally occurring glacial bodies of water in Forest/Langlade County formed by the movement and melting of huge sheets of ice approximately 14,000 years ago. Today, the lake is home to a thriving resort…
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All About Pickerel Lake, WI

Pickerel Lake is a pristine 1,272-acre lake in Forest County and Langlade County, Wisconsin. With over ten miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 19 feet, Pickerel Lake is one of over 1,000 naturally occurring glacial bodies of water in Forest/Langlade County formed by the movement and melting of huge sheets of ice approximately 14,000 years ago. Today, the lake is home to a thriving resort community and is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. Two boat landings provide lake access.

Langlade County contains approximately 841 lakes, 200 spring-fed ponds, and 395 miles of trout streams. Of the 841 lakes, 248 are classified as “wilderness” lakes meaning there are no roads or buildings within 200 feet of the shoreline. Most of these lakes are well known for their big bass and panfish. Forest County also has an abundance of lakes totaling 21,882 acres. The majority of Langlade County’s lakes are small (less than 100 acres) and located within undeveloped forest settings, perfect for the walk-in canoeist, or small craft fishermen. Larger lakes, such as Pickerel Lake, offer a wider variety of fish and amenities to include northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill and boat ramps for easy access to the lake. Anglers will find public boat ramps on the north shore and south shore of Pickerel Lake.

Visitors to Pickerel Lake wishing to try some stream fishing will find many beautiful streams and creeks in the area which support excellent populations of brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Streams wind their way throughout the county with numerous public access points. Eastern Langlade County is also home to one of the finest trout rivers in the Midwest – the Wolf River. Brown, brook and occasionally rainbow trout can be found in a 40-mile stretch near the town of Pearson. Anglers will also find healthy populations of northern pike, walleye, bass and musky in the meandering and scenic river. The Wolf River is also known for its excellent whitewater rafting.

Several resorts dot the scenic shoreline of Pickerel Lake. Most resorts offer lakefront accommodations along with lake access and shared amenities. Additional vacation rentals range from charming cabins and cottages to private real estate for sale. There is no camping on Pickerel Lake, but campgrounds can be found nearby and in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (Nicolet region), just east of Pickerel Lake. Camping is allowed anywhere in the National Forest as long as you are at least 50 feet from any trail or water edge and not on private property. Vacation rentals of all kinds can be found throughout the National Forest.

When it comes to outdoor recreation, Pickerel Lake and the surrounding area are sure to have it. Aside from enjoying swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing on Pickerel Lake, there are numerous crystal clear lakes in the vicinity. Whether you enjoy walking, hiking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, cross country skiing, ATVing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, Langlade County has the perfect scenic trail. With over 500 winding country roads and woodland trails, you can explore the beauty of Langlade County and the Nicolet National Forest by any means of transportation. For hunters, the landscape is a hunting paradise with the heavily wooded areas home to white tail deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey. Almost 25,000 acres of territory are open for public hunting. Several area golf courses, downhill skiing facilities, and stunning sightseeing in every season can be found on Pickerel Lake’s outstanding list of recreational activities.

For fine dining, shopping and stocking up on supplies, guests of Pickerel Lake can visit the nearby rural towns and villages of Antigo, White Lake, Hollister, Pearson, Langlade, Pickerel, and Elcho. In the winter, visitors can enjoy the dogsled races through the scenic Crocker Hills area. Dogsled enthusiasts from all over the world participate in these exciting events. County Fairs and local art and craft shows are popular summertime attractions for both residents and visitors.

Whether you are looking for great fishing, hunting, winter sports or just exploring the natural beauty of peaceful woods, you will find it all at Pickerel Lake. With all that the lake and the surrounding Northwoods area has to offer, Pickerel Lake is truly a vacation destination for the entire family.

Things to Do at Pickerel Lake

These are some activities in the Pickerel Lake, WI area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Water Skiing
  • Golf
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Cabin Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • National Forest
  • Shopping

What Kind of Fish Are in Pickerel Lake?

Pickerel Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Northern Pike
  • Perch
  • Pickerel
  • Pike
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Sunfish
  • Trout
  • Walleye
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Find Places to Stay at Pickerel Lake

If you’re considering a Pickerel Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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More Sites to Book a Pickerel Lake Vacation

Our interactive Pickerel Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
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Pickerel Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Surface Area: 1,272 acres

Shoreline Length: 10 miles

Maximum Depth: 19 feet

Trophic State: Mesotrophic

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