About Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake is a scenic Marinette County lake worth knowing about, a intimate 9-acre lake reaching 19 feet at its deepest. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers.
Bottom composition: 0% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 99% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.35030° N, 88.27540° W
WBIC 498400 · 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
Balsam 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 Balsam Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Balsam Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Marinette County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Balsam Lake is one of Marinette 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 Balsam 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
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out typically arrives in mid-April on central Wisconsin lakes. Fishing season hits its stride in mid-May and runs strong through June and again in fall. Swimming conditions are best from late June through mid-August. Fall color peaks in early-to-mid October. Ice fishing season runs late December through February in most years.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you boat on Balsam Lake?
Balsam 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 Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake has 9 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 19 feet.
What is the bottom of Balsam Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 0% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 99% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Balsam Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Balsam Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Balsam Lake located?
Balsam Lake is located in Marinette County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.3503° N, 88.2754° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Balsam Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Marinette County lakes. Check our Balsam Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Marinette County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Balsam 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 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
- 498400
- County
- Marinette County
- Surface Area
- 9 acres
- Max Depth
- 19 ft
- Bottom
- 0% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 99% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.3503, -88.2754
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Balsam Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.