McLain Lake
Washburn County, Wisconsin
About McLain Lake
McLain Lake earns its reputation as one of Washburn County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 143 acres and up to 30 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish.
Bottom composition: 92% sand, 3% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
46.04810° N, 91.94900° W
WBIC 2481600 · 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.
Content coming soon
Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near McLain Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about McLain 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
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Seasonal notes for McLain Lake coming soon — ice-out timing, peak fishing windows, and fall color dates.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in McLain Lake?
McLain Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Abundant), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on McLain Lake?
Yes — McLain Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is McLain Lake?
McLain Lake has 143 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 30 feet, a mean depth of 11 feet.
What is the bottom of McLain Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 92% sand, 3% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in McLain Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in McLain Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is McLain Lake located?
McLain Lake is located in Washburn County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 46.0481° N, 91.9490° W.
Are there vacation rentals on McLain Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Washburn County lakes. Check our McLain Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Washburn County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for McLain 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 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
- 2481600
- County
- Washburn County
- Surface Area
- 143 acres
- Max Depth
- 30 ft
- Mean Depth
- 11 ft
- Bottom
- 92% sand, 3% gravel, 5% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 46.0481, -91.9490
Nearby Trails
Washburn County ATV/UTV Trails
116 mi · Washburn County
Washburn County Snowmobile Trails
250 mi · Washburn County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near McLain Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.