Bad River Slough
Ashland County, Wisconsin
About Bad River Slough
Bad River Slough is a serious fishing destination in Ashland County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 173 acres and up to 24 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Anglers target Northern Pike and Walleye.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 40% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.63030° N, 90.64800° W
WBIC 2892100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Bad River Slough has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 173-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Bad River Slough are coming soon. Know a great spot near Bad River Slough? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Ashland County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Bad River Slough is one of Ashland County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Bad River Slough that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Bad River Slough?
Bad River Slough is home to Musky, Northern Pike (Common), Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Bad River Slough?
Bad River Slough does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Bad River Slough?
Bad River Slough has 173 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 24 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
What is the bottom of Bad River Slough like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 40% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Bad River Slough?
No invasive species are currently documented in Bad River Slough by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Bad River Slough located?
Bad River Slough is located in Ashland County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.6303° N, 90.6480° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Bad River Slough?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Ashland County lakes. Check our Bad River Slough vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Ashland County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Bad River Slough
Regulation data is not available for this lake. Check with the Wisconsin DNR for current season rules before fishing.
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2892100
- County
- Ashland County
- Surface Area
- 173 acres
- Max Depth
- 24 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 40% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.6303, -90.6480
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Bad River Slough? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.