Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Plum Lake

As January quietly rolls around, the Northwoods is short on snow but doing well when it comes to ice, so with a new month comes a new “Lake of the Month.” For January, I’d like to feature Plum Lake, just a skip North of Sayner. This Vilas County watering hole features just enough established food and accommodations to keep locals and travelers alike coming back for more. 

Plum Lake is a great place to get good foot-in-the-door ice fishing this season.  So far, with ice measuring over 11”, it is plenty stable to plop down and jig away the hours.  Though Plum does have muskies, it’s definitely the walleye and panfish you’re after this time of year, and there are plenty if you know where to look. 

Because of Plum Lake's interesting long and deep bathymetry, there is a vast expanse of fishing holes to be found.  The middle ¾ of Plum Lake regularly reaches depths of 40 plus feet with steadily sloping edges that are the main focus during ice fishing season.  The expanse of the lake gives you all of the 8 to 15-foot target zones you wish but also leaves room to drop an extra deep line if you want to venture out. 

The maximum depth of Plum Lake is 57 feet, and its overall expanse is 1057 acres, so there is definitely plenty of room for everyone. It has an excellent launch ramp that provides plenty of parking for those on foot or with sleds in tow. The Southwest end of Plum features super skinny water under a beautiful passing bridge, while the far eastern end has depth ranges anywhere from 2 to 15 feet that might deserve a look if panfish are on the menu.

Plum Lake also features a small island in its midst that shallows up some of the deepest water, making it a good highway for passing predator fish and providing some interesting hump features off its western side.  Though many “spots” seem like glaring beacons, the whole of Plum Lake offers plenty of bottom variation to keep your targeted species moving.  The bottom is made up of a good combination of gravel, sand, and muck and the lake itself is pretty clear, so fishing here is as easy as finding the most desirable depth and structure each day.

If you’re not convinced yet to take a look at Plum Lake, let the locals be your guide.  Stop at the local watering hole, Sayner Pub, for some grub and up-to-the-minute fishing reports from other anglers braving the winter weather.  Here, you can taste some of the best belly-warming grub in the Northwoods while also taking a gander at the famous full-ceiling map of the North.  It’s a great place to pass the time if the fish aren’t biting.  There are also plenty of places to stay and cabins to rent nearby, making this lake perfect for those traveling to the Northwoods for a desirable respite from the hustle and bustle of larger cities.  A Northwoods rest will treat you better than any day at the spa.

So, this winter, if you want to give a try to ice fishing and take a trip to one of our favorite frozen wonderlands, go with Plum Lake.  It’s definitely worth the time to check out and take home some freshwater fish for your evening meal.