Cherokee Lake
Dane County, Wisconsin
About Cherokee Lake
Cherokee Lake is a scenic Dane County lake worth knowing about, a mid-sized lake at 193 acres and up to 20 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake
Lake Location
43.15740° N, 89.37990° W
WBIC 806500 · Wisconsin DNRLocal's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Cherokee Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. The 193-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Cherokee Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Cherokee Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Dane County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Cherokee Lake is one of Dane 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 Cherokee 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, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil
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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Cherokee Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
Can you boat on Cherokee Lake?
Cherokee Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Cherokee Lake?
Cherokee Lake has 193 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 20 feet, a mean depth of 9 feet.
Are there invasive species in Cherokee Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Cherokee 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 Cherokee Lake located?
Cherokee Lake is located in Dane County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.1574° N, 89.3799° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Cherokee Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Dane County lakes. Check our Cherokee Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Dane County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Cherokee 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 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| 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 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| 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 18" 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
- 806500
- County
- Dane County
- Surface Area
- 193 acres
- Max Depth
- 20 ft
- Mean Depth
- 9 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 43.1574, -89.3799
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Cherokee Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.