Tarrant Lake
Columbia County, Wisconsin
About Tarrant Lake
Tarrant Lake offers the classic northern Wisconsin combo: northern pike and bass in a Columbia County setting that draws anglers and families alike, a intimate 24-acre lake reaching 7 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers primarily target Panfish. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 25% sand, 1% gravel, 1% rock, 73% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.54520° N, 89.10400° W
WBIC 1269100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
Tarrant Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 24-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Tarrant Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Tarrant Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Columbia County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Tarrant Lake is one of Columbia 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 Tarrant 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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed has been documented in Tarrant 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 Tarrant Lake?
Tarrant Lake is home to Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Tarrant Lake?
Yes — Tarrant Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Tarrant Lake?
Tarrant Lake has 24 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 7 feet, a mean depth of 4 feet.
What is the bottom of Tarrant Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 25% sand, 1% gravel, 1% rock, 73% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Tarrant Lake?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed has been documented in Tarrant 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 Tarrant Lake located?
Tarrant Lake is located in Columbia County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.5452° N, 89.1040° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Tarrant Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Columbia County lakes. Check our Tarrant Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Columbia County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Tarrant 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 | 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 limit is 15" and 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
- 1269100
- County
- Columbia County
- Surface Area
- 24 acres
- Max Depth
- 7 ft
- Mean Depth
- 4 ft
- Bottom
- 25% sand, 1% gravel, 1% rock, 73% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 43.5452, -89.1040
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Tarrant Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Village of Cambria · 920-348-5416
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.