Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Sparkling Lake fishing
Sparkling Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Ciscoes And Whitefishes on a natural lake. Also recorded: Muskellunge and Rainbow Smelt. It is stocked about once a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch, and dawn and dusk for Muskellunge.
- Last stocked
- 2025
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 16
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 3 (+2 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4 in
- Surface acres
- 155
Fish at Sparkling Lake
Walleye Stocked · 13 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Ciscoes And Whitefishes Stocked · 2 plants · last 2021
Last stocked 2021 · avg 9.5 in · 2 plants
Yellow Perch Stocked · 1 plant · last 2014 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Muskellunge Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Muskellunge species guide
Rainbow Smelt Confirmed present Best: night Best: night
Rainbow Smelt species guideSparkling 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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Sparkling Lake is stocked
About 637 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 22 lakes in Vilas County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
15,779
Fish stocked in 2011
15,779
Fish stocked in 2012
13,970
Fish stocked in 2013
12,700
Fish stocked in 2014
1,594
Fish stocked in 2015
5,481
Fish stocked in 2017
4,445
Fish stocked in 2019
8,679
Fish stocked in 2020
941
Fish stocked in 2021
7,382
Fish stocked in 2023
5,968
Fish stocked in 2025
6,051
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 6,051 | 1.63 in | report |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,968 | 1.58 in | report |
| 2021 | Walleye | 5,495 | 1.92 in | report |
| 2021 | Ciscoes And Whitefishes | 1,887 | 9 in | report |
| 2020 | Ciscoes And Whitefishes | 941 | 10 in | report |
| 2019 | Walleye | 8,679 | 2.1 in | report |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,445 | 1.68 in | report |
| 2015 | Walleye | 5,481 | 1.7 in | report |
| 2014 | Yellow Perch | 1,594 | 4.1 in | report |
| 2013 | Walleye | 12,700 | 2 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 1,270 | 8 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.7 in | report |
| 2011 | Walleye | 3,079 | 7 in | report |
| 2011 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.6 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 12,700 | 1.4 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 3,079 | 7.8 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Arbor Vitae, WI
- Facilities
- dock
Two DNR-managed accesses in the Town of Arbor Vitae: a concrete ramp on the south shore with a floating boarding dock and parking for 6 to 10 rigs (accessible only to the top of the ramp), and a steep, unimproved carry-in site on the Hwy 51 right-of-way at the north end.
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 Sparkling Lake
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. (apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(dnrmaps.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(dnrmaps.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Sparkling Lake?
Fishing Sparkling Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 13 of 16 plants on record, ahead of Ciscoes And Whitefishes and one more. Walleye was last stocked 2025, averaging 3.1 in. Ciscoes And Whitefishes was last stocked 2021, averaging 9.5 in. Yellow Perch was last stocked 2014, averaging 4.1 in. Muskellunge and Rainbow Smelt are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Sparkling Lake stocked?
Last stocked 2025. It is stocked about once a year since 2010. About 637 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 22 lakes in Vilas County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024.
How big are the fish stocked at Sparkling Lake?
Stocked fish average 4 in. Walleye average 3.1 in. Ciscoes And Whitefishes average 9.5 in. Yellow Perch average 4.1 in.
How do you get on Sparkling Lake?
The nearest town is Arbor Vitae, WI. Facilities include dock. Two DNR-managed accesses in the Town of Arbor Vitae: a concrete ramp on the south shore with a floating boarding dock and parking for 6 to 10 rigs (accessible only to the top of the ramp), and a steep, unimproved carry-in site on the Hwy 51 right-of-way at the north end.