Balsam Lake
Polk County, Wisconsin
About Balsam Lake
Balsam Lake earns its reputation as one of Polk County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 1,901 acres with a maximum depth of 37 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 20% sand, 80% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.46540° N, 92.42730° W
WBIC 2620600 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·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
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Balsam Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Balsam Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
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 and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Balsam 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 Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Abundant), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Balsam Lake?
Yes — Balsam Lake has 6 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake has 1,901 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 37 feet.
What is the bottom of Balsam Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 20% sand, 80% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Balsam Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Balsam 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 Balsam Lake located?
Balsam Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.4654° N, 92.4273° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Balsam Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Polk County lakes. Check our Balsam Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Polk 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 And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit 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 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
- 2620600
- County
- Polk County
- Surface Area
- 1,901 acres
- Max Depth
- 37 ft
- Bottom
- 20% sand, 80% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.4654, -92.4273
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Balsam Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (6)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Boat Landing 3
Boat Landing 4
Boat Landing 5
Boat Landing 6
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.