McDill Pond
Portage County, Wisconsin
About McDill Pond
McDill Pond offers the classic northern Wisconsin combo: northern pike and bass in a Portage County setting that draws anglers and families alike, a mid-sized lake at 247 acres and up to 19 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Largemouth Bass and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Phragmites (non-native), Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 20% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.49770° N, 89.54810° W
WBIC 1403200 · 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.
- ·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
McDill Pond has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 247-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for McDill Pond are coming soon. Know a great spot near McDill Pond? 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
McDill Pond 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 McDill Pond 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, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Phragmites (non-native), 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 Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Phragmites (non-native) and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in McDill Pond. 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 McDill Pond?
McDill Pond is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), and Smallmouth Bass. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on McDill Pond?
Yes — McDill Pond has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is McDill Pond?
McDill Pond has 247 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 19 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
What is the bottom of McDill Pond like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 20% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in McDill Pond?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Phragmites (non-native) and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in McDill Pond. 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 McDill Pond located?
McDill Pond is located in Portage County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.4977° N, 89.5481° W.
Are there vacation rentals on McDill Pond?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Portage County lakes. Check our McDill Pond vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Portage County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for McDill Pond
| 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 10. | — |
| 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
- 1403200
- County
- Portage County
- Surface Area
- 247 acres
- Max Depth
- 19 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 20% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 44.4977, -89.5481
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near McDill Pond? Let us know.
Boat Landings (2)
Parks, Recreation & Forestry Dept. · (715) 346-1531
NA · NA
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.