Big Trade Lake
Burnett County, Wisconsin
About Big Trade Lake
Big Trade Lake is a serious fishing destination in Burnett County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 327 acres and up to 39 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 (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 80% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 10% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.67040° N, 92.61700° W
WBIC 2638700 · 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 Big Trade Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Big Trade 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
Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife
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.
Invasive Species Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Big Trade 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 Trade Lake?
Big Trade Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Abundant), Musky, 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 Trade Lake?
Yes — Big Trade Lake has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Big Trade Lake?
Big Trade Lake has 327 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 39 feet, a mean depth of 15 feet.
What is the bottom of Big Trade Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 80% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 10% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Big Trade Lake?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Big Trade 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 Trade Lake located?
Big Trade Lake is located in Burnett County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.6704° N, 92.6170° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Trade Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Burnett County lakes. Check our Big Trade Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Burnett County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big Trade 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 limit 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
- 2638700
- County
- Burnett County
- Surface Area
- 327 acres
- Max Depth
- 39 ft
- Mean Depth
- 15 ft
- Bottom
- 80% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 10% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.6704, -92.6170
Nearby Trails
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
200 mi · Burnett/Polk County
Governor Knowles State Forest
40 mi · Burnett/Polk County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Big Trade Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (2)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.