Ballard Lake
Vilas County, Wisconsin
About Ballard Lake
Ballard Lake is a scenic Vilas County lake worth knowing about, covering 503 acres with a maximum depth of 25 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 15% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
46.06080° N, 89.49850° W
WBIC 2340700 · 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
Ballard Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 503 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Ballard Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Ballard Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Vilas County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Ballard Lake is one of Vilas 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 Ballard 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
Present
Banded Mystery Snail
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. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Banded Mystery Snail has been documented in Ballard Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a public boat launch on Ballard Lake?
Yes — Ballard Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Ballard Lake?
Ballard Lake has 503 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 25 feet.
What is the bottom of Ballard Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 15% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Ballard Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail has been documented in Ballard 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 Ballard Lake located?
Ballard Lake is located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0608° N, 89.4985° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Ballard Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Vilas County lakes. Check our Ballard Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Vilas County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Ballard 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 | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 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. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| 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
- 2340700
- County
- Vilas County
- Surface Area
- 503 acres
- Max Depth
- 25 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 15% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.0608, -89.4985
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Ballard Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
NHAL Recreation Team Leader · (715) 385-3355 Ext.119
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.