Adams Lake
Portage County, Wisconsin
About Adams Lake
Adams Lake is a prized trout lake in the Portage County Northwoods — cold, clear, and ideal for fly fishing, a intimate 30-acre lake reaching 44 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers primarily target Largemouth Bass. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 10% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 90% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SPRING
Lake Location
44.43670° N, 89.38130° W
WBIC 267800 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·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
Adams Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 30-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Adams Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Adams Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Portage County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Adams Lake is one of Portage 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 Adams 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
Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Yellow Iris
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
Banded Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Yellow Iris have been documented in Adams 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 Adams Lake?
Adams Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Panfish, and Trout. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Adams Lake?
Yes — Adams Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Adams Lake?
Adams Lake has 30 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 44 feet, a mean depth of 17 feet.
What is the bottom of Adams Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 10% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 90% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Adams Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Yellow Iris have been documented in Adams 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 Adams Lake located?
Adams Lake is located in Portage County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.4367° N, 89.3813° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Adams Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Portage County lakes. Check our Adams Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Portage County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Adams 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 | 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 | 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 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
- 267800
- County
- Portage County
- Surface Area
- 30 acres
- Max Depth
- 44 ft
- Mean Depth
- 17 ft
- Bottom
- 10% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 90% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.4367, -89.3813
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Adams Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Town of Stockton · 715-592-4712
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.