Friess Lake
Washington County, Wisconsin
About Friess Lake
Friess Lake earns its reputation as one of Washington County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 121 acres and up to 48 feet deep. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. Anglers primarily target Largemouth Bass. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Rusty Crayfish, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 70% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.24450° N, 88.27640° W
WBIC 853200 · 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 Friess Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Friess 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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Rusty Crayfish, Zebra Mussel
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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Friess 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 Friess Lake?
Friess Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike, Panfish, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Friess Lake?
Friess Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Friess Lake?
Friess Lake has 121 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 48 feet, a mean depth of 27 feet.
What is the bottom of Friess Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 70% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Friess Lake?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Friess 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 Friess Lake located?
Friess Lake is located in Washington County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.2445° N, 88.2764° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Friess Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Washington County lakes. Check our Friess Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Washington County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Friess 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 | 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 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. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 853200
- County
- Washington County
- Surface Area
- 121 acres
- Max Depth
- 48 ft
- Mean Depth
- 27 ft
- Bottom
- 70% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 43.2445, -88.2764
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
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Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.