What Lost Lake offers and who fishes it

Lost Lake sits about 15 minutes south of St. Germain in Vilas County, Wisconsin, and it's a straightforward walleye and pike lake that rewards anglers who know how to work structure. The lake runs roughly 600 acres, with depths that reach into the 40s but average much shallower—most of the productive water sits between 8 and 20 feet. The shoreline is mixed: some developed property, some public land, and enough rocky points and weed edges to keep you moving if the fish aren't cooperating in one spot.

The character of Lost Lake is quieter than the bigger tourist lakes nearby. You'll see boats, but not the wall-to-wall traffic of Trout Lake or Eagle Lake. That means less pressure on the fish and more room to work a pattern without feeling crowded. The walleye population is solid, and pike run large enough to make them worth targeting in their own right rather than as incidental catches.

Access is straightforward: there's a public boat launch on the north shore off County Road M. The ramp is maintained and has adequate parking, though it can fill on summer weekends. If you're staying in St. Germain proper, Lost Lake is close enough for a half-day trip or an evening bite.

Key Takeaways

  • Lost Lake is a 600-acre walleye and pike lake with an average depth of 8 to 20 feet and a quieter character than nearby tourist lakes.
  • The public boat launch is on the north shore off County Road M and has parking and maintained facilities.
  • Spring and fall walleye fishing centers on rocky points and weed edges in 10 to 15 feet of water.
  • Summer requires deeper presentations—live bait on structure in 20 to 40 feet—or early morning and evening shallow work.
  • Pike fishing is productive year-round on weed edges and around submerged timber, especially in spring and fall.

Spring walleye patterns on structure

When the ice goes out in April and early May, walleye move shallow to feed before spawning. Lost Lake's rocky points become the primary target—work the 8 to 15-foot zone with live shiners or crawlers on a jig, or cast crankbaits that track that same depth. The north and east shorelines tend to warm first, so start there if the water temperature is still in the 40s.

The weed edges along the south and west sides come alive a few weeks later as the water climbs into the low 50s. Walleye will position on the outside edge of emerging weeds, and a slow presentation—live bait on a slip sinker rig or a small jig—works better than anything flashy. The bite is typically best in the last two hours before dark and the first hour after sunrise.

Spring is also when pike are most aggressive and most catchable. They're shallow, hungry, and less selective than they'll be later. Throw larger baits and lures near the same structure where you're finding walleye, and you'll connect with pike in the 24 to 32-inch range regularly.

Summer: deeper water and timing

By mid-June, the thermocline sets up and walleye move deeper to find cooler, oxygenated water. On Lost Lake, that means shifting to the 20 to 40-foot zone, particularly around the deeper structure—drop-offs near the rocky points, deeper weed edges, and any submerged timber you can locate. Live bait presentations work best: a live shiner on a slip sinker rig or a jig, worked slowly along the bottom.

If you prefer to stay shallow, fish the early morning and evening hours when walleye move into 10 to 15 feet to feed. A half-hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset can produce solid action on the same rocky points and weed edges you fished in spring. The bite is often faster and more aggressive during these windows than it is during the day.

Pike remain catchable throughout the summer, but they also move deeper during the heat of the day. Early morning and evening pike fishing on shallow structure mirrors the walleye pattern. If you want to fish midday, target deeper weed edges and timber in 15 to 25 feet of water.

Fall: the second peak season

September and October bring a return to the spring pattern. Water temperature drops, walleye move back shallow, and the bite becomes more consistent throughout the day. The rocky points and weed edges that produced in spring are productive again, and you don't have to wait for low light to connect. A jig and live bait, or a crankbait that tracks 10 to 15 feet, will work all day long.

Pike are at their most aggressive in fall, feeding heavily before winter. Larger baits and lures produce well, and the weed edges and timber that hold pike in summer remain productive. The water clarity is often excellent in fall, so pike can see your presentation from farther away—use that to your advantage by casting farther out and working structure methodically.

Fall also brings fewer boats and less pressure overall. If you can fish Lost Lake in September or early October, you'll experience the lake at its best: good fish, consistent conditions, and room to work without interference.

Winter access and ice fishing

Lost Lake freezes solid by late December and remains fishable through early March. The ice is typically safe by early January, but always check local conditions and talk to the bait shop in St. Germain before heading out. The lake doesn't have a dedicated ice fishing access point, but anglers fish from the public launch area once the ice is solid enough to support vehicles.

Winter walleye fishing centers on the same deep structure you'd target in summer—the 20 to 40-foot zone around drop-offs and timber. Tip-ups with live shiners work well, as do jigging presentations with live bait or small spoons. Pike are less active in winter but still catchable on larger baits fished in slightly shallower water, around 15 to 25 feet.

The quiet character of Lost Lake makes winter fishing here less crowded than on the bigger lakes. You'll have more space to set up and work your presentation without feeling rushed.

Tackle and bait considerations

For walleye, bring a medium-power spinning rod and 6 to 8-pound monofilament or braided line. Jigs in the 1/8 to 3/8-ounce range work the shallow structure; live shiners and crawlers are the standard baits. If you prefer casting, crankbaits that dive to 10 to 15 feet cover water efficiently and produce well on the points.

Pike fishing calls for heavier tackle—a medium-heavy spinning rod or a baitcasting setup with 10 to 15-pound line. Pike have sharp teeth, so use a short steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader. Live baits work, but so do larger lures: spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and large crankbaits all produce. The key is matching the size of your presentation to the size of the fish you want to catch.

The bait shop in St. Germain stocks live shiners, crawlers, and minnows year-round. Call ahead in winter to confirm availability, especially if you're planning an ice fishing trip. Having fresh, local bait makes a real difference on a lake like Lost Lake, where the fish see a fair amount of pressure from visiting anglers.

Regulations and what to know before you go

Wisconsin's statewide walleye regulations apply to Lost Lake: a daily bag limit of five walleye, with a 15-inch minimum length. Pike have a daily bag limit of five as well, with a 24-inch minimum. Check the current Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations before you fish, as rules can change year to year.

A Wisconsin fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older. You can purchase a license online through the DNR website or at the bait shop in St. Germain. A three-day license is available if you're visiting from out of state and don't want to commit to a full season.

The lake is open year-round for walleye and pike. Winter fishing is allowed, but always verify ice conditions with local sources before heading out. The St. Germain area has several resorts and lodges that can point you toward current conditions and recent fishing reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Lost Lake?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are the most consistent. The water is cool, walleye are shallow and aggressive, and you don't need to wait for low light to catch fish. Summer requires more patience and deeper presentations, but early morning and evening fishing can be excellent.

Can I fish Lost Lake if I'm staying in St. Germain?

Yes. Lost Lake is about 15 minutes south of St. Germain and is accessible via a public boat launch on County Road M. It's close enough for a half-day or evening trip and far enough away to feel quieter than the main tourist lakes.

Do I need a guide to fish Lost Lake?

No. The lake is straightforward to navigate, and the structure is easy to locate. If you're new to the area or want to learn the lake faster, a local guide can help, but many anglers fish it successfully on their own by working the rocky points and weed edges methodically.

What size pike and walleye should I expect?

Walleye typically run 12 to 18 inches, with some fish pushing into the low 20s. Pike average 24 to 32 inches and are common enough that you can target them specifically rather than treating them as incidental catches. Both species are worth the effort.

Is Lost Lake crowded?

Not compared to nearby lakes like Trout Lake or Eagle Lake. You'll see other boats, especially on summer weekends, but the lake has a quieter character overall. Spring, fall, and winter fishing are noticeably less crowded.