About Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake is a scenic Douglas County lake worth knowing about, covering 996 acres. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Note that invasive species (Purple Loosestrife) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.68640° N, 92.18990° W
WBIC 4000004 · 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
Spirit Lake has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 996 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Spirit Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Spirit Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Douglas County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Spirit Lake is one of Douglas 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 Spirit 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
Purple Loosestrife
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
Purple Loosestrife has been documented in Spirit 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 Spirit Lake?
Spirit 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 Spirit Lake?
Spirit Lake has 996 acres in surface area.
Are there invasive species in Spirit Lake?
Yes — Purple Loosestrife has been documented in Spirit 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 Spirit Lake located?
Spirit Lake is located in Douglas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.6864° N, 92.1899° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Spirit Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Douglas County lakes. Check our Spirit Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Douglas County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Spirit 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. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" 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 | 25 in total | — |
| 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
- 4000004
- County
- Douglas County
- Surface Area
- 996 acres
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.6864, -92.1899
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Spirit Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.