Deer Lake
Polk County, Wisconsin
About Deer Lake
Deer Lake is a serious fishing destination in Polk County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 786 acres with a maximum depth of 46 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 75% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.40270° N, 92.52280° W
WBIC 2619400 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·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
Deer Lake has good water clarity and a gravel and sand bottom, making it well-suited for families and swimmers of all ages. With 786 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably. Water visibility is a standout feature here — you can often see the bottom in the shallows.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Deer Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Deer Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Polk County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Deer Lake is one of Polk 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 Deer Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Where to Eat Near Deer Lake
Restaurants within 15 miles — recommended by Stay Northern
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
14.2 ft
summer average, DNR 1987–2026
Trophic Status
Oligotrophic
Clear, low-nutrient
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Rusty Crayfish, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel
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. Clarity from DNR volunteer monitoring; weeds from DNR surveys.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Deer 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 Deer Lake?
Deer Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Deer Lake?
Yes — Deer Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake has 786 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 46 feet, a mean depth of 26 feet.
What is the bottom of Deer Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 75% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Is Deer Lake clear water or murky?
Deer Lake has a Secchi depth (water clarity measurement) of 14.2 feet, and is classified as oligotrophic. This indicates clear, healthy water.
Are there invasive species in Deer Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Rusty Crayfish and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Deer 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 Deer Lake located?
Deer Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.4027° N, 92.5228° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Deer Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Polk County lakes. Check our Deer 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 Deer 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, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. 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. | — |
| 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
- 2619400
- County
- Polk County
- Surface Area
- 786 acres
- Max Depth
- 46 ft
- Mean Depth
- 26 ft
- Water clarity
- 14.2 ft summer average · oligotrophicDNR volunteer monitoring, 1987–2026
- Bottom
- 75% sand, 15% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.4027, -92.5228
Nearby Trails
Explore all Wisconsin trails →Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Deer Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 10/20/2026.