Garden Lake
Bayfield County, Wisconsin
About Garden Lake
Garden Lake is a serious fishing destination in Bayfield County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 558 acres with a maximum depth of 23 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.20840° N, 91.05860° W
WBIC 2735500 · 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
Garden Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 558 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Garden Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Garden Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Bayfield County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Garden Lake is one of Bayfield 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 Garden 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 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.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Garden 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 Garden Lake?
Garden Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass (Common), and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Garden Lake?
Yes — Garden Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Garden Lake?
Garden Lake has 558 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 23 feet.
Are there invasive species in Garden Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Garden 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 Garden Lake located?
Garden Lake is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.2084° N, 91.0586° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Garden Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Bayfield County lakes. Check our Garden Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Bayfield County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Garden 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 | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, of which only one smallmouth bass may be kept, and it must be over 18 inches. | — |
| 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 | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| 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
- 2735500
- County
- Bayfield County
- Surface Area
- 558 acres
- Max Depth
- 23 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.2084, -91.0586
Nearby Trails
American Birkebeiner Trail System
62 mi · Sawyer/Bayfield County
CAMBA Trails — Cable Area
135 mi · Sawyer/Bayfield County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Garden Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Namakagon · 715-794-2036
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.