I’m planing a one day trip to Lake Arbutus, Ive never been there and all I know is that it is part of the Black River, I assume that it holds Walleye, Bass ( hopefully big Small mouth) and Muskie. I would appreciate any info as to what the hot bite this time of year is and general tactics. Thanks much
Lots of crappie, walleye, and bass….almost no musky. Last week I was hammering smallies up where the main fork of the river dumps in. Quite a few were in the 16 to 19 range. Since then it’s been far and few between for the bronze backs. Walleyes are still doing good and crappies are on fire right now. More walleyes are running on the small side. Crappies are a consistent 10 inches. We have fishing league tonight so I’ll pm ya with some more info….here’s a link to a really good map. It takes a long time to load but worth every minute. Give me a holler if you have any more questions….ramps,bait,camping, I pretty much live at my camper the whole summer.
http://www.uwec.edu/hartnesg/seanweb/LakeArbutus.html
Jon
If you are looking for muskie go up into the river above the lake. This is best done with a small jon boat or canoe as it is very rocky. There are nice crappies to be had in the lake and Arnold Creek. The limit is 10. There is also some decent walleye fishing to be had. At certain times of the year the smallies can go crazy. During summer it does get pretty busy with power boats and jet skis.
That is a great map mrjigger 
…Thanks
Me and some friends of mine camp a couple of times a year up there (county park)and the fishing can be good but there are also a bunch of “recreational” boating going on during the daylight hours 
I agree with the others, Crappies,Smallies,and Walleyes are the major fare…. I have also caught some nice Channel cats in the old river channel 
Quote:
Lots of crappie, walleye, and bass….almost no musky. Last week I was hammering smallies up where the main fork of the river dumps in. Quite a few were in the 16 to 19 range. Since then it’s been far and few between for the bronze backs. Walleyes are still doing good and crappies are on fire right now. More walleyes are running on the small side. Crappies are a consistent 10 inches. We have fishing league tonight so I’ll pm ya with some more info….here’s a link to a really good map. It takes a long time to load but worth every minute. Give me a holler if you have any more questions….ramps,bait,camping, I pretty much live at my camper the whole summer.
http://www.uwec.edu/hartnesg/seanweb/LakeArbutus.html
Jon
If anyone has any doubts on what sites out there provide the goods then just read the quote! 
Never have had the op to fish Arbutus but if given the chance I know where I’ll go for the low down.
Great info mrjigger along with great follow up by bearplotts……thanks guys 
The fishing has been good. The lake water level is up again. Thank goodness!! We have had to replace a few gearcases over the last couple years when the water level was down.
The side opposite of the swim area has a sand bar that comes out quite aways… Be ready to trim your motor up.
Feel free to stop in for coffee and tell us how your fishing went!
Thanks for all the information guys, and that is a great map. I’ll post our results, thanks again
Had our fishing league tonight and all 20 guys caught fish. Mostly walleye and crappie but good sizes of both. I would hit up arnolds creek and the river channel where the main fork comes in first. Also just a little south of the beach on the east side produced some good numbers for my boat; right along the main channel break. Pink jigs dragged with fattys took honors. If anyone is up this way this summer I’m on campsite 19 in Jackson County west side campground almost every weekend starting next Wednesday. Stop in for a cold Old Mill or look for the red G3. I will ALWAYS help out when I can. I do guide out here too if anyone wants to learn a little more about the lake. 
where is a good spot to put a canoe in above Arbutus?
thanks
We always would put in at a bridge and then canoe down to the next bridge or the head of the lake. It requires a couple vehicles and guys. The fishing in the river can be outstanding. Smallies, walleyes and muskies along with the occasional channel cat. The great thing is once you get away from the bridge areas, you most likely won’t see anybody else. The river does get quite low, so unless you like to wade and carry the canoe over shallow rocky areas it is best to go when the water is a bit up.
thanks bearplotts. i am heading up there 6/5. i understand we shouldn’t try the rapids above the lake, eh?
We (Jerry “JAW” and I made it to the lake on Friday 5/15/09. The weather man missed his prediction a bit, we were greeted with much stronger winds than predicted and the rain came sooner than expected, had a good time none the less. We got into a small pod of walleye in the Black River arm hitting lipless Cranks, all were 15 inches +or- a half inch,we were not keeping any fish so no problem with size. We also got some Bass in both arms, a few of legal size with 17 inches the largest. Some great looking campgrounds and some beautiful homes on Arbutus, thanks again for the information and I plan on doing a return trip, if your there maybe we’ll have a adut beverage or two and swap fishin stories
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