Amherst Millpond
Portage County, Wisconsin
About Amherst Millpond
Amherst Millpond is a scenic Portage County lake worth knowing about, a intimate 38-acre lake reaching 7 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 Panfish. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 20% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.45680° N, 89.28240° W
WBIC 268200 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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.
- ·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
Amherst Millpond has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 38-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Amherst Millpond are coming soon. Know a great spot near Amherst Millpond? 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
Amherst Millpond 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 Amherst Millpond 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, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Purple Loosestrife, Rusty Crayfish
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 Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Amherst Millpond. 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 Amherst Millpond?
Amherst Millpond is home to Northern Pike, and Panfish (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Amherst Millpond?
Yes — Amherst Millpond has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Amherst Millpond?
Amherst Millpond has 38 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 7 feet, a mean depth of 2 feet.
What is the bottom of Amherst Millpond like?
The lake bottom is composed of 20% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Amherst Millpond?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Amherst Millpond. 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 Amherst Millpond located?
Amherst Millpond is located in Portage County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.4568° N, 89.2824° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Amherst Millpond?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Portage County lakes. Check our Amherst Millpond vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Portage County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Amherst Millpond
| 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 | 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 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
- 268200
- County
- Portage County
- Surface Area
- 38 acres
- Max Depth
- 7 ft
- Mean Depth
- 2 ft
- Bottom
- 20% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 44.4568, -89.2824
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Amherst Millpond? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Village of Amherst · 715-824-5613
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.