Kentuck Lake

View of Kentuck Lake, the 1001 acre lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin
   Kentuck Lake is a big lake with good fishing that is located east of Eagle River. The lake is surrounded by the National Forest lands so other than people who live on the lake or are coming out to fish, the roads do not see a lot of traffic. Kentuck Lake is a large, roughly 1,000-acre lake east of Eagle River, stretching into both Vilas and Forest counties and surrounded largely by National Forest land. Its low water clarity and maximum depth of about 40 feet give it a darker, big-lake presence with long shorelines and a mostly undeveloped feel away from a handful of cabins and access points. Because the main roads in the area are forest routes rather than urban arterials, the lake feels removed and quiet once you arrive, even though it is a known fishing destination. It sits in the National Forest east of Eagle River and offers a big-water experience with long, wooded shorelines and relatively little shoreline development. It attracts buyers who want a more dedicated fishing and boating lake surrounded by public land, trading quick town trips for elbow room, wildlife, and a more remote Northwoods atmosphere. Buyers who pick Kentuck typically value elbow room, forested surroundings, and a strong fishery over quick trips into town, treating it as a semi-remote base with big-water options.
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Kentuck Lake Specs:

Clarity:
Avg. Depth: 13 Feet
Size: 1001 Acres
Max Depth: 40 Feet
Shoreline: 6.04 Miles
Water Source:
Lake Access: Public
Water Color: Varies
Trophic State: Eutrophic
Time to Town: 26 Minutes
Acres Per Owner: 7.94
Owners Per Mile: 20.86

Homes for Sale:

No Current Listings
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Lots for Sale:

No Current Listings
Fishing:
Fish Species:
Bottom:
Boat Traffic: Average
Noise Level:
High Speed: No
Natural Gas: No
Lake Roads:
Cell Coverage: Spotty
Home Density:
Boat Launch: Yes (2)
Lake Grade: Very Good
Rentals on Lake: Yes
Township: Phelps
School District: Phelps
Tax Rate: $6.54 / $1000
** Link opens in new window:
Kentuck Lake contour map
Biking/Walking/Ski Trails:
Spectacle Lake - Kentuck Lake Trail - A two and a half mile trail along the old Thunder Lake Railroad bed.
Snowmobile Trails:
Snowmobile trails run just south of the lake.
ATV Trails:
No nearby trails.
Nearby State Areas:
Eagle River:
23 mins
Grocery Store
hospital

This is a summary based on available information.

DNR surveys and fishing maps highlight Kentuck as a multi‑species fishery with musky, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, panfish, and perch, drawing a steady but not overwhelming amount of angling pressure. Early in the season, gravel and rock shorelines hold smallmouth and walleyes, while pencil reeds and shallow cover along the edges attract muskies and pike. As the year progresses, anglers often shift to deeper breaks, weed edges, and mid‑lake structure, using a mix of live bait rigs, crankbaits, and musky presentations to cover water. For cabin owners, Kentuck offers the feel of a dedicated fishing lake where you can build a playbook for specific species across seasons, yet still enjoy quiet pontoon rides and shoreline exploring on off days.

I had AI give me the coordinates for the launches I had on file. They are not super accurate, but should give a rough idea of where you can find the landings. If no coordinates were available at all I didn't link to the map.

Kentuck Lake public landing (west access)
View on Map
Main public boat landing on the west side of Kentuck Lake within the National Forest, signed off local forest roads. Paved or well-graded ramp that can handle larger fishing rigs; parking area is somewhat limited but typically adequate outside of peak musky and holiday weekends.

Kentuck Lake secondary landing (north shore)
View on Map
Secondary public access on the north side of Kentuck Lake off forest roads, offering an alternate put-in for this big, mostly forested lake. More rustic ramp surface with limited parking; best for smaller to mid-sized fishing rigs and paddlers looking for a quieter launch away from the main landing.

How big is Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake is 1001 acres with 6.04 miles of shoreline.

How deep is Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake has an average depth of 13 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet.

Does Kentuck Lake have a boat launch?

Yes, Kentuck Lake has a public boat launch.

How far is Kentuck Lake from Eagle River?

Kentuck Lake is 26 minutes from Eagle River, Wisconsin.

What fish are in Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake contains a Variety of fish species including Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye.

What is the water clarity of Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake has a water clarity of 9.1 feet.

How long is the shoreline on Kentuck Lake?

The shoreline of Kentuck Lake is about 6.04 miles.

What type of lake is Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake is a Drainage lake.

What is the trophic status of Kentuck Lake?

Kentuck Lake is a Eutrophic lake.

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