Echo Lake
Barron County, Wisconsin
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About Echo Lake
Echo Lake earns its reputation as one of Barron County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 172 acres and up to 41 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, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 80% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.44590° N, 92.12970° W
WBIC 2630200 · 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
Echo Lake has good water clarity and a gravel and sand bottom, making it well-suited for families and swimmers of all ages. The 172-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience. Water visibility is a standout feature here — you can often see the bottom in the shallows.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Echo Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Echo 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
Echo 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 Echo Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Where to Eat Near Echo Lake
Restaurants within 15 miles — recommended by Stay Northern
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
12.6 ft
summer average, DNR 2004–2026
Trophic Status
Mesotrophic
Moderately clear
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil
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. Clarity from DNR volunteer monitoring; weeds from DNR surveys.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Echo 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 Echo Lake?
Echo 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 Echo Lake?
Yes — Echo Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Echo Lake?
Echo Lake has 172 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 41 feet, a mean depth of 20 feet.
What is the bottom of Echo Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 80% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Is Echo Lake clear water or murky?
Echo Lake has a Secchi depth (water clarity measurement) of 12.6 feet, and is classified as mesotrophic. This indicates clear, healthy water.
Are there invasive species in Echo Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Echo 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 Echo Lake located?
Echo Lake is located in Barron County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.4459° N, 92.1297° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Echo Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Barron County lakes. Check our Echo 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 Echo 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 | 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. | — |
| 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
- 2630200
- County
- Barron County
- Surface Area
- 172 acres
- Max Depth
- 41 ft
- Mean Depth
- 20 ft
- Water clarity
- 12.6 ft summer average · mesotrophicDNR volunteer monitoring, 2004–2026
- Bottom
- 80% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.4459, -92.1297
Nearby Trails
Explore all Wisconsin trails →Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Echo Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Almena · 715-357-6016
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.