Cast a line into the headwaters

To start a true Northwoods fishing adventure, head to the source. Lac Vieux Desert, the headwaters of the Wisconsin River, is a timeless fishing lake located just east of Land O’ Lakes.

Springs from the surrounding wetlands feed this expansive lake, which in turn feeds Wisconsin’s longest river. Lac Vieux Desert is a big lake, covering 4,260 acres, nearly seven square miles, and it extends beyond the Wisconsin border into Michigan. The lake is sandwiched between two massive national forests; the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. The lake has a number of islands, including Draper, Near and Duck Islands. The Wisconsin River flows out of the lakes’ southwest corner.

Lac Vieux Desert has a long history. Native Americans long fished these waters and when French explorers arrived they translated the local name, which meant “lake of the Old Clearing” or “Old Garden.”

Today the lake’s history continues to be written by fisherman who haul in big catches, season after season.

Launch your own fishing adventure from one of the lake’s two public boat landings. You’ll find one ramp on the lake’s west store and a second ramp in Michigan off Misery Bay Road.

Lac Vieux Desert holds muskies, perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleyes. It’s a lake that draws trophy hunters as well as people of all ages who enjoy brisk pan fishing.

These are productive waters and they are waiting for your boat. Spend some time on Lac Vieux Desert and see why so many great adventures start at the source.

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