Barrens Lake
Florence County, Wisconsin
About Barrens Lake
Barrens Lake is a scenic Florence County lake worth knowing about, a intimate 9-acre lake reaching 23 feet at its deepest. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Note that invasive species (Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 95% sand, 0% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake
Lake Location
45.85910° N, 88.10120° W
WBIC 602400 · 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
Barrens Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 9-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Barrens Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Barrens Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Florence County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Barrens Lake is one of Florence 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 Barrens 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
Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil
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
Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil have been documented in Barrens 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 Barrens Lake?
Barrens 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 Barrens Lake?
Barrens Lake has 9 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 23 feet.
What is the bottom of Barrens Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 95% sand, 0% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Barrens Lake?
Yes — Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil have been documented in Barrens 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 Barrens Lake located?
Barrens Lake is located in Florence County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.8591° N, 88.1012° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Barrens Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Florence County lakes. Check our Barrens Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Florence County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Barrens 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 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 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 | 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 | 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 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
- 602400
- County
- Florence County
- Surface Area
- 9 acres
- Max Depth
- 23 ft
- Bottom
- 95% sand, 0% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.8591, -88.1012
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Barrens Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.