A Destination for Musky Enthusiasts and Anglers
For April’s Lake of the Month, it seems fitting to explore a lake that gives some respite to those chomping at the bit for musky season. Escanaba Lake can be of interest for those who are interested in trying for musky outside of the regular season and helping the DNR with fish studies along the way. Escanaba is the destination for both.
Year-Round Fishing with a Purpose
As one of the few lakes covered under the Northern Highland Fishery Research Area umbrella, Escanaba Lake allows angling with no closed season, simply with a permit and participation in their tracking study.
Because of the NHFRA, Escanaba Lake might be considered one of the more interesting lakes in Northern Wisconsin. Without targeted regulation and year-round fishing, the possibilities are endless for any angler who chooses to participate. Walleye are the only current regulated catch on the body of water, and those regulations can be found online or in person at the monitoring station.
Musky Fishing and Interactive Research
As far as musky, Escanaba Lake is said to have plenty of good-sized musky. Participants in catch and release are able to scan tagged muskies and learn about their previous recorded interactions with anglers. Each musky could come with its very own history lesson. As this is a unique angle in angling research, it makes for an adventure for those who might be willing to participate. Permits are available, and detailed descriptions of check-ins and outs are noted by the Escanaba Lake Check Station and the WI DNR.
Outside of the unique opportunity provided by Escanaba Lake, it presents an overall angling pleasure for those willing to drop an anchor on the 303 acres of natural beauty. The lake bottom is mixed with small gravels, rock, and sand, with the maximum depth at approximately 26 feet. The water is clear with particulates, so visibility isn’t perfect. Some might say it gives you a better chance to avoid spooking any lurking muskies. For bait choices, dark patterns are a must, along with some high-vis hot colors thrown in the mix.
Secluded Escape with Adventure-Ready Amenities
As Escanaba is off the beaten path to some degree, it’s not likely to be overpopulated by competitive anglers. This lake is desirable for folks who appreciate dirt roads and foliage as it runs parallel with some great kayak/canoe campsites, walking trails, and forested landscapes.
The overall layout of Escanaba Lake is perfect for covering in a day. There is a well-maintained parking area and ramp on the southern end, along with decent facilities. It’s definitely bowl-shaped in the center with an expansive eastern shallow chocked with a few islands. Its shape gives way to both boating and kayaking (as mentioned earlier), and makes for a lot of great casting areas for all seasons. Steep drops, extensive shallows, and steadily deepening edges give muskies their “pick of the litter” when it comes to places to post up, so anglers need to put in the time to find the best spots per season. A good mix of topwaters, deep cranks, and spinnerbaits will find action from summer to fall.
Once off the water, don’t miss the mix of trails not far from the boat ramp. They are well-maintained and offer a great experience of the Northwoods Nature scene. Some clearing has taken place in the area, but most of the natural beauty remains. For stays, markets, gas, food, and more, be sure to visit nearby Boulder Junction. This picturesque Northwoods town offers everything you need for anglers and travelers alike. So, if you’re visiting Northern Wisconsin and you want to try a new angling experience, give Escanaba Lake a go. It might convince you to stay.