Bear Lake
Ashland County, Wisconsin
About Bear Lake
Bear Lake is a serious fishing destination in Ashland County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 184 acres and up to 9 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Anglers target Musky and Walleye.
Bottom composition: 70% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.99010° N, 90.80520° W
WBIC 2403200 · 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
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
Content coming soon
Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Bear Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
Content coming soon
Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Bear Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
Content coming soon
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Bear Lake?
Bear Lake is home to Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Bear Lake?
Bear Lake 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 Bear Lake?
Bear Lake has 184 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 9 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
What is the bottom of Bear Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 70% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Bear Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Bear Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Bear Lake located?
Bear Lake is located in Ashland County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9901° N, 90.8052° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Bear Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Ashland County lakes. Check our Bear Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Ashland County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Bear Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60" and season limit is 1 fish. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2403200
- County
- Ashland County
- Surface Area
- 184 acres
- Max Depth
- 9 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Bottom
- 70% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.9901, -90.8052
Nearby Trails
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest ATV Trails
140 mi · Sawyer/Ashland/Taylor/Price County
Flambeau River Paddle Trail
160 mi · Sawyer/Price/Rusk County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Bear Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.