A Small Lake with Northwoods Character

Deep Lake lives up to the spirit of Wisconsin's hidden inland waters — the kind of place where locals return year after year and visitors discover that the best lake experiences aren't always the biggest ones. At roughly 43 acres with a maximum depth around 28 to 29 feet, the shoreline is lined with seasonal cabins and mature hardwood forest, creating the kind of secluded, wooded setting that defines the best of the Northwoods lake lifestyle. The bottom is predominantly sand, giving clear, comfortable water along the shore that's welcoming for wading and swimming.↗↗

Located about seven miles from the village of Spooner, Deep Lake sits in a rural stretch of Washburn County where the pace is slow and the forests are thick. The surrounding area offers miles of ATV and snowmobile trails, county forest land for hiking and hunting, and easy access to larger recreational lakes like Long Lake and Shell Lake for days when you want more open water.↗↗

Fishing

Deep Lake supports a diverse and approachable fish community. Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure and weed edges — work topwater lures at dawn in summer or soft plastics rigged weedless around fallen timber. Northern pike patrol the weedy margins, and walleye can be found on the deeper sand transitions during low-light hours. The panfish population is listed as common, making the lake excellent for kids and beginners looking for steady action near docks or brush piles.↗↗

Wisconsin fishing regulations apply; check current season dates and size limits with the DNR before heading out. A license is required for anglers aged 16 and older. The lake's small size means shore fishing is practical from many points along the wooded shore, though a canoe or kayak expands your reach into the deeper middle basin where walleye and bass hold.↗

Getting There and Access

A public gravel boat landing managed by the Town of Madge sits on Deep Lake Road, providing straightforward motorboat access. The ramp is suitable for trailers and small fishing boats. From Spooner, head east on Highway 70 to Fenander Road, then turn onto Deep Lake Road.↗↗

The lake is small enough that most shoreline areas are reachable on foot or by paddlecraft. Check local access points carefully before walking the perimeter, as much of the shore is private property with seasonal cabins.↗

Seasonal Appeal

Spring brings ice-out in late April or early May, followed by the most active fishing window through June as bass move shallow and panfish stack near weedlines. Summer is prime season for swimming, paddling, and evening casts — the lake's intimate scale keeps water calm even on breezy afternoons. Fall foliage in this part of Wisconsin is among the state's most dramatic, with peaks in late September turning the hardwood shoreline into a wall of color. In winter, the lake freezes reliably and joins the region's snowmobile trail network.↗

Nearby

Washburn County's inland lake country surrounds Deep Lake with plenty to explore. Long Lake and Shell Lake are short drives away for bigger-water boating and watersports. The town of Spooner provides basic services, restaurants, and supplies. The regional draw of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands is within a comfortable day-trip distance to the north.↗↗