Birch Lake
Sawyer, Washburn County, Wisconsin
About Birch Lake
Birch Lake earns its reputation as one of Sawyer, Washburn County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 364 acres and up to 73 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Rusty Crayfish) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 0% sand, 15% gravel, 85% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.66900° N, 91.54400° W
WBIC 2113000 · 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.
- ·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
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Birch Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Birch Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Rusty Crayfish
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
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 Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Birch 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 Birch Lake?
Birch Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Birch Lake?
Yes — Birch Lake has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake has 364 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 73 feet, a mean depth of 24 feet.
What is the bottom of Birch Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 0% sand, 15% gravel, 85% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Birch Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Rusty Crayfish have been documented in Birch 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 Birch Lake located?
Birch Lake is located in Sawyer, Washburn County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.6690° N, 91.5440° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Birch Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Sawyer, Washburn County lakes. Check our Birch Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Sawyer, Washburn County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Birch Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| 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, but only 10 can be bluegill. | — |
| 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
- 2113000
- County
- Sawyer, Washburn County
- Surface Area
- 364 acres
- Max Depth
- 73 ft
- Mean Depth
- 24 ft
- Bottom
- 0% sand, 15% gravel, 85% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.6690, -91.5440
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
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Boat Landings (2)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.