What High Lake offers anglers

High Lake is a shallow, weedy walleye and pike lake sitting just outside Boulder Junction in Vilas County. The lake runs about 1,200 acres and averages 20 feet deep, with much of it shallower than that—ideal for the vegetation that holds both walleye and northern pike year-round. If you're coming from Boulder Junction proper, you're looking at a short drive north; the lake has public access via a Wisconsin DNR boat landing on the south shore.

The character of High Lake is its weed growth. Cabbage beds, coontail, and wild rice beds dominate the shallower flats and bays, especially on the west and north sides. That vegetation is what makes the lake work: it holds forage fish, gives walleye and pike places to hunt, and creates the kind of structure that makes fishing predictable once you learn where to look. Spring and fall are peak seasons here because the weeds are thick enough to hold fish but not so dense that you can't move a lure through them.

Key Takeaways

  • High Lake is a 1,200-acre shallow system where walleye and pike relate to weed beds rather than deep structure, making spring and fall the most productive seasons.
  • The public boat landing on the south shore is your entry point; the lake is manageable from a 16- to 18-foot boat, though a shallow-draft hull helps in the weedier bays.
  • Walleye here respond to live bait (shiners and crawlers) worked along weed edges and in the deeper pockets within the weed beds, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Pike fishing is strong in the same weed structure; casting spinnerbaits and soft plastics into the cabbage beds produces year-round, with fall offering the most aggressive feeding.
  • Summer fishing is possible but requires patience—fish move deeper into the weed canopy or to the few deeper holes, and midday is nearly dead.

Walleye patterns on High Lake

Walleye on High Lake are weed fish. They don't suspend over deep water the way they do on some of the clearer, deeper lakes around Boulder Junction. Instead, they hunt along the edges of the cabbage beds and in the pockets and channels that cut through the vegetation. Early morning and late evening are when they're most active, especially in spring and fall when the water temperature is in the 50s and 60s.

Live bait is the standard here. A 4- to 6-inch shiner on a slip sinker rig, worked slowly along a weed edge, will catch walleye. Crawlers work too, especially in the shallower bays where the bottom is soft. The key is patience and position: find a weed line in 8 to 14 feet of water, hold your boat just outside it, and let the current or a slow drift move your bait along the edge. Many anglers anchor and cast, which works well if you can find a pocket or a thin spot in the weeds where a walleye might be holding.

Summer walleye fishing on High Lake is tougher. The fish move into the thickest part of the weed canopy or to the few deeper holes scattered around the lake. If you want to fish summer, focus on early morning before the sun gets high, and work the deepest pockets you can find. Jigs tipped with live bait or soft plastics work better than live bait alone in summer because you can fish them vertically in tight spots.

Pike fishing and aggressive weed presentations

Northern pike on High Lake are abundant and willing. The weed beds are their home, and they hunt the same edges and pockets that walleye do—but pike are less picky about the time of day. You can catch pike all day, though early morning and the last hour before dark are still the most consistent.

Spinnerbaits in the 3/8- to 1/2-ounce range are a workhorse here. Cast them into the cabbage, let them helicopter down into the weeds, and rip them out with a sharp upstroke. Pike will follow and hit on the rise. Soft plastics—6- to 8-inch swimbaits or paddle-tail shads in natural colors—work the same way and give you more control in dense cover. If you want to throw topwater, early morning in the shallower bays can produce explosive strikes, especially in fall.

Fall is peak pike season on High Lake. The water cools, the weeds start to thin, and pike feed aggressively to build reserves for winter. You'll catch more fish and bigger fish in September and October than you will in summer. Winter pike fishing is possible through the ice, but the shallow nature of the lake means the ice can be unpredictable in early and late season—check conditions before you venture out.

Seasonal timing and water conditions

Spring (May through early June) is excellent. The water is cool, the weeds are growing but not yet thick, and both walleye and pike are feeding hard after spawn. Expect to find fish in slightly deeper water—10 to 16 feet—along the weed edges. The bite is most active from sunrise to mid-morning and again in the evening.

Summer (late June through August) is the slowest season. The weeds are at their thickest, the water warms into the 70s, and fish move into the densest cover or to the few deeper holes. If you fish summer, go early and stay late. Midday is nearly dead. The lake can also get crowded with recreational boaters in July and August, which pushes fish deeper and makes them less willing to bite.

Fall (September through October) is the second-best season, right behind spring. The water cools, the weeds thin slightly, and fish move back into the shallower structure to feed. Pike are especially aggressive. The bite stays strong from dawn through mid-morning and picks up again in the evening. By late October, the water is in the 40s and the bite slows, but it's still productive for anglers willing to fish slowly.

Winter (November through March) brings ice fishing. High Lake freezes solid by mid-December and stays frozen through February. Pike and walleye are catchable through the ice, but the shallow nature of the lake means you need to be cautious about ice thickness early and late in the season. Check with local bait shops or the Boulder Junction area resorts for current conditions before you head out.

Tackle and technique for High Lake's weed structure

Because High Lake is shallow and weedy, your tackle needs to be weed-tolerant. For walleye, a 6- to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound braided line is standard. Braid cuts through weeds better than monofilament and gives you better feel for what's happening on the bottom. Pair it with a 6-pound fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility in the clear water.

For pike, step up to a 7- to 7.5-foot medium-heavy rod with 15- to 20-pound braid. Pike teeth will shred monofilament, so use a short wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader. Spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and topwater lures are your main tools. Keep your lures in the 3/8- to 3/4-ounce range—heavy enough to cast into the wind and light enough to work the shallows without snagging bottom constantly.

A shallow-draft boat is helpful but not required. The lake has plenty of water for a standard 16- to 18-foot center console or open boat, especially if you stick to the main basin and the deeper pockets. If you're fishing the shallower bays and weed flats, a boat with a 2-foot or less draft will let you get into spots that deeper-hulled boats can't reach. A trolling motor is nearly essential for positioning along weed edges without spooking fish.

Access and practical information

The public boat landing on High Lake's south shore is your main access point. It's a Wisconsin DNR facility with a paved ramp, parking for trailers, and a small pier. The landing is free to use. From Boulder Junction, head north on County Road M and follow signs to the landing—it's a short drive, less than 10 minutes from downtown Boulder Junction.

There are no resorts or lodges directly on High Lake, but Boulder Junction is close enough that you can stay in town and fish High Lake as a day trip. Several resorts in Boulder Junction rent boats and sell bait, which is convenient if you don't want to trailer your own. The nearest full-service tackle shop is in Boulder Junction proper.

High Lake is open year-round for fishing. Walleye season runs from the Saturday nearest May 1 through March 31; pike season is year-round. Check the current Wisconsin fishing regulations before you go—seasons and bag limits can change. The lake is also popular with recreational boaters in summer, so expect company on weekends and holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish High Lake?

Dawn and dusk are most productive, especially for walleye. Pike will bite all day, but they're more aggressive in early morning and late evening. In summer, fish very early (before 7 a.m.) or after 6 p.m., because midday is nearly dead.

Do I need a boat to fish High Lake?

A boat is the best way to access the productive weed beds and deeper pockets. The public landing gives you access to the main lake. Shore fishing is possible near the landing and in a few bays, but you'll catch more fish from a boat.

What size fish can I expect to catch?

Walleye typically run 12 to 18 inches, with some fish in the 20-inch range. Pike are often 18 to 26 inches, and the lake holds some fish over 30 inches. Both species are abundant, so you should have a good chance of catching multiple fish in a day.

Is High Lake good for beginners?

Yes. The weed structure is easy to understand—fish hold along the edges and in the pockets—and both walleye and pike are willing biters. Live bait and simple presentations work well. If you're new to fishing, start in spring or fall when the bite is most active.

Can I fish High Lake in winter?

Yes, ice fishing is popular. The lake freezes solid by mid-December. Check ice thickness before you go, especially in early December and late February. Local bait shops and resorts in Boulder Junction can tell you current conditions.