Hartford Millpond
Washington County, Wisconsin
About Hartford Millpond
Hartford Millpond is a prized trout lake in the Washington County Northwoods — cold, clear, and ideal for fly fishing, a intimate 10-acre lake reaching 8 feet at its deepest. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Trout.
Bottom composition: 15% sand, 2% gravel, 3% rock, 80% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.31860° N, 88.37360° W
WBIC 857900 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
Hartford Millpond has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 10-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Hartford Millpond are coming soon. Know a great spot near Hartford Millpond? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Washington County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Hartford Millpond is one of Washington 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 Hartford Millpond 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
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Hartford Millpond?
Hartford Millpond is home to Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Trout. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Hartford Millpond?
Hartford Millpond 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 Hartford Millpond?
Hartford Millpond has 10 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 8 feet.
What is the bottom of Hartford Millpond like?
The lake bottom is composed of 15% sand, 2% gravel, 3% rock, 80% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Hartford Millpond?
No invasive species are currently documented in Hartford Millpond by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Hartford Millpond located?
Hartford Millpond is located in Washington County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.3186° N, 88.3736° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Hartford Millpond?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Washington County lakes. Check our Hartford Millpond vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Washington County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Hartford Millpond
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | , to , | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10, panfish Regulations for Urban Waters include Bullheads. | — |
| Panfish | March 14, 2026 to April 24, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10, special Season for Youth and Disabled; Panfish Regulations for Urban Waters include Bullheads. | — |
| 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/ . | — |
| Trout And Salmon | , to , | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| Trout And Salmon | March 14, 2026 to April 24, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 3, special season for youth and disabled. | — |
| Urban Waters Gamefish | , to , | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Urban Waters Gamefish | March 14, 2026 to April 24, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 1, special season for youth and disabled. | — |
| 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
- 857900
- County
- Washington County
- Surface Area
- 10 acres
- Max Depth
- 8 ft
- Bottom
- 15% sand, 2% gravel, 3% rock, 80% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 43.3186, -88.3736
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Hartford Millpond? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.