Walleye Stocked · 8 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night Franklin Lake fishing
Franklin Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Whitefish, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, and 3 more. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Rock Bass, dawn and dusk for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch.
- Last stocked
- 2024
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 8
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 1 (+9 also recorded)
- Average size
- 5.7 in
- Surface acres
- 834.4
Fish at Franklin Lake
Walleye Stocked · 8 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Lake Whitefish Confirmed present 
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Rock Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Rock Bass species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide White Sucker Confirmed present
Franklin Lake is an 839-acre lake located in Forest County, Wisconsin, featuring a maximum depth of 46 feet. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports that anglers can find panfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, largemouth bass, and northern pike in the lake. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Franklin Lake is stocked
About 143 reported fish per acre, 6th most of 9 lakes in Forest County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
31,194
Fish stocked in 2012
37,720
Fish stocked in 2014
8,392
Fish stocked in 2016
8,394
Fish stocked in 2018
8,393
Fish stocked in 2020
8,246
Fish stocked in 2022
8,394
Fish stocked in 2024
8,394
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 8,394 | 7.7 in | report |
| 2022 | Walleye | 8,394 | 7.45 in | report |
| 2020 | Walleye | 8,246 | 6.9 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 8,393 | 6.95 in | report |
| 2016 | Walleye | 8,394 | 7.27 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 8,392 | 6.65 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 37,720 | 1.6 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 31,194 | 1.4 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Eagle River, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping
Franklin Lake Access, off Butternut Lake Road at the US Forest Service's Franklin Lake Recreation Area, is a single-lane blacktop-to-concrete-to-sand ramp with a vault toilet and no boarding dock. The launch is in a day-use fee area. About 10 miles east of Eagle River.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you go.
About Franklin Lake
Invasive species are present in Franklin Lake, including Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, and Rusty Crayfish. (apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Camping near Franklin Lake
Campgrounds within 15 miles of Franklin Lake's mapped point, nearest first: Franklin Lake camping (0.5 miles), Anvil Lake camping (2.8 miles), Kentuck Lake camping (4 miles), and Lake Ottawa Pavilion camping (15 miles), each with its own campground page on campgroundsdb.com.
Straight-line distances.
Common questions
What fish are at Franklin Lake?
Fishing Franklin Lake usually means Walleye. All 8 plants on record are Walleye. Walleye was last stocked 2024, averaging 5.7 in. Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Whitefish, and Bluegill, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Franklin Lake stocked?
Last stocked 2024. It is stocked about 0.5 times a year since 2010. About 143 reported fish per acre, 6th most of 9 lakes in Forest County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 7 years between 2010 and 2024.
How big are the fish stocked at Franklin Lake?
Walleye stocked at Franklin Lake average 5.7 in.
How do you get on Franklin Lake?
The nearest town is Eagle River, WI. Facilities include restrooms and camping. Franklin Lake Access, off Butternut Lake Road at the US Forest Service's Franklin Lake Recreation Area, is a single-lane blacktop-to-concrete-to-sand ramp with a vault toilet and no boarding dock. The launch is in a day-use fee area. About 10 miles east of Eagle River.
Which lakes near Franklin Lake were stocked more recently?
Kentuck Lake (3.4 mi), Long Lake (9 mi), Thunder Lake (14.5 mi), and Lac Vieux Desert (14.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Kentuck Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Long Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Thunder Lake is also stocked with Walleye, and Lac Vieux Desert is also stocked with Walleye.