Last stocked
January 1, 2025
Plants on record
16
Since 2010
Species recorded
3
Average size
4 in
Surface acres
155
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Arbor Vitae, WI
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Float tube friendly
- Yes
- ADA accessible
- No
- Facilities
- dock
Two Town of Arbor Vitae landings serve this 157-acre lake: a concrete ramp accessible to the top but not the floating dock, and a steep, unimproved carry-in site off Hwy 51.
Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , access.float_tube , access.ada , facilities , shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs , watch_outs , watch_outs
How Sparkling Lake is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2025 it was January 1, 2025, about when it usually is.
No plants recorded in 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024.
About 637 reported fish per acre, 5th most of 23 lakes in Vilas County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish at Sparkling Lake
Fishing Sparkling Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 13 of 16 plants on record, ahead of Ciscoes And Whitefishes and one more.
Walleye 13 plants
- Plants
- 13 of 16
- Last stocked
- January 1, 2025
- Average length
- 3.1 in
Ciscoes And Whitefishes 2 plants
- Plants
- 2 of 16
- Last stocked
- January 1, 2021
- Average length
- 9.5 in
Yellow Perch 1 plant
- Plants
- 1 of 16
- Last stocked
- January 1, 2014
- Average length
- 4.1 in
Fishing Sparkling Lake
Sparkling Lake, a 157-acre lake in Vilas County, offers various fish species for anglers. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet. Fishermen can expect to find Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye in its waters.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org , apps.dnr.wi.gov
What to watch for
Anglers should be aware of invasive species present in Sparkling Lake, including Purple Loosestrife, Rainbow Smelt, and Rusty Crayfish. For those utilizing the main boat launch, the slope from the top of the ramp to the floating boarding dock exceeds ADA accessibility standards. Additionally, the carry-in access point off Hwy 51 features a steep, gravel entrance/exit.
Fish stocked per year
- 15,7792010
- 15,7792011
- 13,9702012
- 12,7002013
- 1,5942014
- 5,4812015
- 4,4452017
- 8,6792019
- 9412020
- 7,3822021
- 5,9682023
- 6,0512025
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 16 plants Showing 16 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Walleye | 6,051 | 1.63 in | report |
| January 1, 2023 | Walleye | 5,968 | 1.58 in | report |
| January 1, 2021 | Walleye | 5,495 | 1.92 in | report |
| January 1, 2021 | Ciscoes And Whitefishes | 1,887 | 9 in | report |
| January 1, 2020 | Ciscoes And Whitefishes | 941 | 10 in | report |
| January 1, 2019 | Walleye | 8,679 | 2.1 in | report |
| January 1, 2017 | Walleye | 4,445 | 1.68 in | report |
| January 1, 2015 | Walleye | 5,481 | 1.7 in | report |
| January 1, 2014 | Yellow Perch | 1,594 | 4.1 in | report |
| January 1, 2013 | Walleye | 12,700 | 2 in | report |
| January 1, 2012 | Walleye | 1,270 | 8 in | report |
| January 1, 2012 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.7 in | report |
| January 1, 2011 | Walleye | 3,079 | 7 in | report |
| January 1, 2011 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.6 in | report |
| January 1, 2010 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.4 in | report |
| January 1, 2010 | Walleye | 3,079 | 7.8 in | report |
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Species stocked here
- Walleye (13)
- Yellow Perch (1)
- Ciscoes And Whitefishes (2)
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.