The Chetac-Birch-Balsam-Red Cedar Chain
Big Chetac Lake has its beginning in Edgewater flowing south to The Narrows near Birchwood with 1,920 acres of northern pike, walleye, bass and panfish. Maximum depth is 28' and averages 12-18". Motor tolling is permitted. Big Chetac Lake spreads out into slough like areas favored by bass and other predator fish. Weed beds provide cover for large schools of panfish, always a favorite in the frying pan. Big Chetac Lake still maintains a northern ambience, with a feeling of uncrowded freedom. Fall and winter fishing is also popular.
Red Cedar Lake rivals Big Chetac Lake in size (1,841 acres), but is considerable deeper (53 feet maximum) and more varied in structure. Many a walleye fisherman has spent years studying Red Cedar, always coming away with a sense "there's more" out there... more bars, ridges and shoreline to explore. In addition to walleye, perch bluegill, crappie, northern and bass move freely between Balsam, Red Cedar and Hemlock Lakes.
"The Narrows" around here refers to the channel flowing south between Big Chetac Lake and Big Birch Lake, a lake of considerable less length and girth, but unique in other ways. Its 368 acres contain deeper water (73' max., 24 mean depth) and more structure (bars and drop-offs) for that most elusive game fish, the walleye. At the southern end of Big Birch Lake is the popular village-run Doolittle Park , with swimming, lakeside camping, RV hookups and a boat landing.
Little Birch is the impoundment of water just prior to the Birch Lake Dam. Fishermen like Little Birch for its shoreline, good for bass and panfish.
Long Lake
Long Lake in Washburn County is clear and deep. Its 3,290 acres is advertised as the "walleye capital of Wisconsin" but northern, bass and numerous panfish and cisco populate its waters. A mean depth of 26' (max 74') and its almost 100 miles of shoreline also make Long Lake ideal for sailing. There are five public landings from which to launch your boat.
Spider Lake Chain
The Spider Lake Chain consists of five lakes totaling approximately 300 acres and total linear distance of 3 1/2 miles. The Spider Lake area is unique in its lack of development (most of the surrounding land is county-owned). There is a generous dose of wilderness here. A small boat or canoe is the best way to fish these lakes. Shallow channels connect them and over a dozen islands provide structure. The irregular shoreline gives these lakes their "spidery" appearance. Northerns, largemouth bass, crappies and bluegills are the main fare.
