Musky Shop Northwoods Lake of the Month: Wildcat Lake

Introduction to Wildcat Lake

It's that time again to highlight the best the Northwoods has to offer for its Lake of the Month. This month, we lean into a tried-and-true lake that is perfect for all levels of anglers, especially beginners, as it offers solid musky numbers and pike that will keep you casting back for more. We're talking about none other than Wildcat Lake in Boulder Junction. Not only does Wildcat Lake offer the Northwoods beauty that travelers often seek, but it's a great bet for wetting your line as you almost never leave empty-handed.

Location and Features of Wildcat Lake

Wildcat Lake is located just north of Boulder Junction in Vilas County. Its area is marked by plenty of destination cabins, lodges, and vistas, where the highways crisscross a landscape jam-packed with musky water and lore. This particular lake has a lot to offer anglers with its easily navigable 293 acres and some of the best hydrography for those seeking a shot at muskies. This lake has it all: a deep central hole with ledges and edges, small lake islands, weed edges wrapping the lake, and even some rocky piles. The lake features darker water with a sandy, mucky bottom, creating an excellent atmosphere for surprise strikes.

Easy Boat Launch and Fishing Opportunities

Launching on Wildcat is easy. It offers a decent single boat ramp with a dock for loading in and out, located at the southern tip of the lake. As mentioned, once you leave the ramp, the weeds stretch out along the edge of the lake almost all the way around. The extensive weeds create an excellent opportunity to target muskies with weedless spinnerbaits, topwaters, and dive-and-rise lures. As you enter the center of the lake, you'll find small islands and a deep 38-foot hole. This part of the lake offers stability for musky fishing in bad conditions, with plenty of deep ledges.

Targeting Muskies and Other Species

For those who like to fish rock piles, the entrance to Big Kitten Lake at the southwest corner of Wildcat offers rock piles on both sides and is a fantastic spot for encountering a musky. With a shallow hull boat and a slightly raised trolling motor, you can even make your way through the skinny water to Big Kitten, adding some extra acres to your musky fishing experience. For those targeting other species, Wildcat Lake and Big Kitten Lake offer good size classes and numbers of smallmouth, largemouth, and walleye to target in between bites, so there's never a dull moment of angling on this lake.

Best Lures and Colors for Wildcat Lake

Dark colors and patterns are recommended on Wildcat, often finding the best luck with colors like black/orange, purples, and heavily patterned lures. We recommend baits like Smity Wizard Spell, TopRaider, Crane Baits, Titan Juniors, and Figure 8 Spinners. Keep a wide variety of presentations, as you will encounter all types of structure in this lake.

Nearby Amenities in Boulder Junction

If you're looking for food, lodging, or entertainment, look no further than Boulder Junction, which is nearby. There you'll find everything you need if you're not local to the area. Boulder Junction has coffee shops, diners, a market, pubs, and even a gift shop or two. You won't miss the hustle of the city in this part of Wisconsin, as lovely locals and wilderness on all sides will surround you. So, plan your next adventure to the Northwoods and enjoy the pristine waters of Wildcat Lake. We're sure you will not be disappointed.