Lower Eau Claire Lake
Lower Eau Claire Lake is a moderately clear 784-acre lake in Bayfield and Douglas counties with a maximum depth of 41 feet and average depth near 22 feet. WDNR lists panfish, largemouth bass and northern pike as common, with musky, smallmouth bass and walleye present.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Listed as common by WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed as common by WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed as common
Crappie
Panfish listed as common
Muskellunge
Listed as present by WDNR
Smallmouth Bass
Listed as present by WDNR
Walleye
Listed as present by WDNR
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Lower Eau Claire Lake public boat landingPublicWDNR lake page notes public boat access; confirm location locallyDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | 18 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2-Jun 19, 2026; Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 combined LMB/SMB limit of 5, of which only one may be a smallmouth over 18 in | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 (within combined bag of 5); May 2-Jun 19 catch and release only | 18 in | 1 / day |
| Northern Pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Lake Sturgeon No fishing allowed | Closed | 0 |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Jim's Bait & C-StoreNearbyBarnes, WIDirections ↗
- Southside Bait & TackleNearbyIron River, WI(715) 372-5943Directions ↗
- Echo Hill Bait & TackleNearbyCounty Road H, Iron River, WI 54847(715) 372-4648Directions ↗
Local tips
- Work weed edges and drop-offs for bass and pike
- Moderately clear water: natural colors work well
- Check WDNR regulations before keeping fish; a 2025 spring shocking report exists
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.