About Ell Lake
Ell Lake is a scenic Portage County lake worth knowing about, a intimate 23-acre lake reaching 20 feet at its deepest. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers.
Bottom composition: 20% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
44.46780° N, 89.36150° W
WBIC 186000 · Wisconsin DNRLocal's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Ell Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 23-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Ell Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Ell 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
Ell 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 Ell 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
Not documented
Clean lake
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you boat on Ell Lake?
Ell Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Ell Lake?
Ell Lake has 23 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 20 feet.
What is the bottom of Ell Lake 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 Ell Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Ell Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Ell Lake located?
Ell Lake is located in Portage County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.4678° N, 89.3615° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Ell Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Portage County lakes. Check our Ell 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 Ell 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
- 186000
- County
- Portage County
- Surface Area
- 23 acres
- Max Depth
- 20 ft
- Bottom
- 20% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.4678, -89.3615
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Ell Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.