Windfall Lake
Sawyer County, Wisconsin
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About Windfall Lake
Windfall Lake is a serious fishing destination in Sawyer County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 104 acres and up to 16 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers primarily target Walleye.
Bottom composition: 30% sand, 20% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.66410° N, 91.21100° W
WBIC 2046500 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·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.
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·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
Windfall Lake has good water clarity and a gravel and sand bottom, making it well-suited for families and swimmers of all ages. The 104-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience. Water visibility is a standout feature here — you can often see the bottom in the shallows.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Windfall Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Windfall Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Sawyer County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Windfall Lake is one of Sawyer 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 Windfall Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Where to Eat Near Windfall Lake
Restaurants within 15 miles — recommended by Stay Northern
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
9.7 ft
summer average, DNR 1999–2005
Trophic Status
Mesotrophic
Moderately clear
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out in late April to early May on northern Wisconsin lakes. Walleye and bass fishing peaks from late May through June and again in September and October. Summer brings warm water temps ideal for swimming from late June through August. Fall color peaks in late September — some of the most dramatic foliage in the state. Snowmobile and ice fishing season runs December through March, with hard ice typically forming by late December.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Clarity from DNR volunteer monitoring; weeds from DNR surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Windfall Lake?
Windfall Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Windfall Lake?
Yes — Windfall Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Windfall Lake?
Windfall Lake has 104 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 16 feet, a mean depth of 12 feet.
What is the bottom of Windfall Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 30% sand, 20% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Is Windfall Lake clear water or murky?
Windfall Lake has a Secchi depth (water clarity measurement) of 9.7 feet, and is classified as mesotrophic. This is typical clarity for a productive northern Wisconsin lake.
Are there invasive species in Windfall Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Windfall Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Windfall Lake located?
Windfall Lake is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.6641° N, 91.2110° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Windfall Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Sawyer County lakes. Check our Windfall Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Sawyer County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Windfall 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 | 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 is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. 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
- 2046500
- County
- Sawyer County
- Surface Area
- 104 acres
- Max Depth
- 16 ft
- Mean Depth
- 12 ft
- Water clarity
- 9.7 ft summer average · mesotrophicDNR volunteer monitoring, 1999–2005
- Bottom
- 30% sand, 20% gravel, 50% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.6641, -91.2110
Nearby Trails
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Boat Landings (1)
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.