Ward Lake
Polk County, Wisconsin
About Ward Lake
Ward Lake earns its reputation as one of Polk County's premier walleye fisheries, a intimate 82-acre lake reaching 43 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Northern Pike and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.60550° N, 92.32040° W
WBIC 2599400 · 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.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Ward Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 82-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Ward Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Ward 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
Ward 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 Ward 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
Chinese Mystery Snail
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.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Ward 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 Ward Lake?
Ward Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Ward Lake?
Yes — Ward Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Ward Lake?
Ward Lake has 82 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 43 feet, a mean depth of 16 feet.
What is the bottom of Ward Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Ward Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail has been documented in Ward 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 Ward Lake located?
Ward Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.6055° N, 92.3204° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Ward Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Polk County lakes. Check our Ward 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 Ward 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 | 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 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
- 2599400
- County
- Polk County
- Surface Area
- 82 acres
- Max Depth
- 43 ft
- Mean Depth
- 16 ft
- Bottom
- 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.6055, -92.3204
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Ward Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Bone Lake · 715-472-8212
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.