Big Dummy Lake
Barron County, Wisconsin
About Big Dummy Lake
Big Dummy Lake earns its reputation as one of Barron County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 114 acres and up to 54 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 30% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 70% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.57210° N, 91.98370° W
WBIC 1835100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
Big Dummy Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 114-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Big Dummy Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Big Dummy Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Barron County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Big Dummy Lake is one of Barron 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 Big Dummy Lake 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
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out typically arrives in mid-April on central Wisconsin lakes. Fishing season hits its stride in mid-May and runs strong through June and again in fall. Swimming conditions are best from late June through mid-August. Fall color peaks in early-to-mid October. Ice fishing season runs late December through February in most years.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Big Dummy Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Big Dummy Lake?
Big Dummy Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Dummy Lake?
Yes — Big Dummy Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Big Dummy Lake?
Big Dummy Lake has 114 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 54 feet, a mean depth of 12 feet.
What is the bottom of Big Dummy Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 30% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 70% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Big Dummy Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Big Dummy Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Big Dummy Lake located?
Big Dummy Lake is located in Barron County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.5721° N, 91.9837° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Dummy Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Barron County lakes. Check our Big Dummy Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Barron County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big Dummy 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 | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. 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 | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. | — |
| 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. | — |
| 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
- 1835100
- County
- Barron County
- Surface Area
- 114 acres
- Max Depth
- 54 ft
- Mean Depth
- 12 ft
- Bottom
- 30% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 70% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.5721, -91.9837
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Big Dummy Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Parks & Recreation Dept. · (715) 537-6295
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.