I'm considering buying property on Meta Lake in Eagle River, WI. Has anyone had experiences they'd be willing to share about fishing on this lake? Also, neither DNR nor local bait shops have any maps of this lake...any thoughts on where to get one would be appreciated.

Welcome to the BB.

 

It doesn't surprise me that you can't find a depth map of this lake...as there isn't a public access to it.

 

Here's a pic of what little info I could find out about it.

 

 

Historically....what has happened here in the Midwest over the last 35 years...is that rich folks came through and bought up small "summer homes" that lesser-income people had....tore down the small places....and started building "mega-mansions"...complete with large grass lawns that got WAY too much fertilizer....which caused weeds and algae to explode in lakes...making the eutrophication process accell at a much faster pace than normal.

 

Good luck with your purchase....or your search for something different than this.

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Thanks for the info, Dave. I know what you mean about what people have done with some lakefront properties. On this particular property that we're negotiating on, there's a house, garage, and a couple storage buildings. Other than that, its wooded...with no grass except for about a 3' wide strip along each side of the gravel driveway...and that's exactly how it would stay.

You're welcome....and I hope that you didn't think that I was inplying what YOU might do with the property IF you bought it.

 

Since you posted here on a fishing site....and asked about depth maps etc ....I pretty much figured that you like fishing.

 

Regardless if you are buying the place as a summer home....new place of residence....retirement home..."fishing getaway"....I figured that since the max depth of the lake was only 25 ft...and with no streams running through it....that you should be aware that a "freeze out" of the fish could happen...which would make fishing s*ck for a few years.

 

WHat you COULD do is to contact the LOCAL DNR office there in the area...and talk to someone that actually KNOWS about the lake.....and go from there.

 

After that...you could contact other property owners there...and if enough folks were interested...put in a "solar powered" pump to help the oxygen levels in both the winter and in the heat of the summer.

 

Just ideas for you....and like I said....I hope that whatever you end up doing...that it works out for you.

 

The area is beautiful....with SEVERAL lakes and rivers nearby

 

I haven't fished there YET....but I have driven through the area...and have seen many pics of the area.

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

I didn't think you implying anything negative, I was happy for the response. The Eagle River chain is across the street from Meta Lake and I've been fishing that since I was a kid. From what I've been able to learn from "locals" that I know...Meta Lake is spring fed and is a pretty decent fishery...tho the walleye seem to be smaller than they used to be. Some big musky (48" +) have been caught there in the past few years. Whether those big fish were released or are now hanging on someone's wall...I don't know. But I've never fished Meta Lake. Being a smaller lake with no public access keeps it cleaner & quieter than lakes on the ER chain. I figured if the fishing there really sucks, I can always take my boat out, drive across the street to the ramp for the ER chain, and fish there.

Sounds like you are "doing your homework" about things....and that's all good.

 

As small as Meta is....I'd be inclined to scarf on a 12 ft alum skiff / small outboard or trolling motor for fishing that....just pull it up on shore when not in use....toss the motors in the garage for the winter....and flip the boat upside down on the shore.

 

Then you wouldn't have to try to load  / unload your main boat just to spend some time on the "home lake"....and save that (and the gas cost) for the bigger waters in the area....or for trips.

 

JMHO

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Thanks for the thoughts, Dave. We're still negotiating back & forth...hopefully it will end soon. I think I've got more gray hair now than I did when the haggling started a month ago

Don't be turning GRAY dude over "wants" in life  ....if this property isn't MEANT for you....it won't happen.

 

Who knows....just MAYBE there's a better one out there that you haven't seen yet....and it has your name....and hopes....on it

 

You'd be amazed at the # of times in my life....when I wanted / needed something....and was patient...a GREAT deal for it fell into my hands. My Guardian Angels were watching over me 

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Thanks Dave....I know what you mean about if its "meant to be". After going back and forth with offers and counter-offers, I offered the seller 10% less than his asking price...he turned it down and that was my final offer. In today's real estate market, that was a darned good offer. Unfortunately, in this case, its a seller who doesn't have to sell, and a buyer who doesn't have to buy. Our search continues...we'll find just the right one.

Sorry to hear that

 

Have you been able to find something else?

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

As things turned out, we got a call from our realtor in the middle of Sept. The buyer that didn't want our money back in August had called her and said that he would be willing to accept the last offer we had made if it was still "on the table". We closed on the house 2 weeks ago and we couldn't be happier about it. 

So "meant to be" has yet another meaning...and result for you....and that's pretty cool  congrats on your happy ending

 

THe only water I have fished even close to there is the Flambeau...and one time over 30 years ago at that

 

canepole (another Wisc. Life Member) and I drove through the ER area back in 2007....and after that, we looked at maps and such and saw what great fishing could be in the area. We'd like to get up that way in a couple of years....so do your homework on those waters and be ready to give us a tour

 

I have maps of many of the area lakes....drop me an email if you'd like info

 

davesett2000...at....yahoo

 

Beautiful area up around there...reminds me of where I went to college in the Brainerd, Minn area with all the lakes and rivers

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

SMC :Congrats on your being able to get the property on the ERC, as Dave always says if it's ment to be it happens.
Retired-psg /Infantry,Purple Heart and a Few others, VietNam Vet, Ex Deputy Sheriff SCCSD, and all around good Guy! Living in Wisconsin