McKenzie Lake

Washburn, Burnett County, Wisconsin

1,129 acres 71 ft max depth 19 ft avg depth 7 fish species 1 boat landing Invasives present

About McKenzie Lake

McKenzie Lake is a serious fishing destination in Washburn, Burnett County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 1,129 acres with a maximum depth of 71 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.

Bottom composition: 70% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck

Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE

Lake Location

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45.91830° N, 92.03850° W

WBIC 2706800 · Wisconsin DNR

Fish Species

Full table →

Largemouth Bass· CommonMusky· AbundantNorthern Pike· AbundantPanfish· CommonSmallmouth BassSturgeonWalleye· Abundant

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.
·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

McKenzie Lake offers good swimming conditions — A sandy bottom, depths reaching 71 feet. Suitable for most swimmers; wade in near the shoreline and conditions improve quickly.

Nearby Dining

Dining recommendations coming soon

Insider Tips

Local tips coming soon — share yours at staynorthern.com/contact

Lake Conditions

Water Clarity

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No data

Trophic Status

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No data

Invasive Weeds

Present

Banded Mystery Snail, Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussel

Seasonal Notes

See below

Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows

Ice typically goes out on McKenzie Lake in early to mid-April. Water temperatures warm quickly through May, and the lake is usually in prime condition for fishing by the Wisconsin walleye opener (first Saturday in May). On McKenzie Lake: walleye fishing peaks from the May opener through June and again in October; musky season runs mid-June through October, with the best action in late summer and fall as water temps drop; northern pike are active through summer with a strong second run in fall; bass fishing is at its best from late June through August; panfish (bluegill, crappie, perch) bite reliably through the full open-water season. Summer (July–August) brings peak cabin season. Expect the most boat traffic on weekends — early morning hours offer the best combination of calm water and active fish. Fall color typically peaks in Washburn, Burnett County in the first two weeks of October. The lake is beautiful and far less crowded than summer — one of the best times to visit for shoulder-season guests. Ice fishing on McKenzie Lake typically begins in late December and runs through early March. walleye, northern pike, panfish are the primary targets through the ice.

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 Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in McKenzie 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 McKenzie Lake?

McKenzie Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Abundant), Northern Pike (Abundant), Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass, Sturgeon, and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.

Is there a public boat launch on McKenzie Lake?

Yes — McKenzie Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.

How big is McKenzie Lake?

McKenzie Lake has 1,129 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 71 feet, a mean depth of 19 feet.

What is the bottom of McKenzie Lake like?

The lake bottom is composed of 70% sand, 20% gravel, 5% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.

Are there invasive species in McKenzie Lake?

Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in McKenzie 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 McKenzie Lake located?

McKenzie Lake is located in Washburn, Burnett County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.9183° N, 92.0385° W.

Are there vacation rentals on McKenzie Lake?

Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Washburn, Burnett County lakes. Check our McKenzie Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Washburn, Burnett County lake rentals.

Fishing Regulations

Current season regulations for McKenzie 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	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.	—
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.	—