Walleye Stocked · 10 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night Balsam Lake fishing
Balsam Lake fishing is stocked with Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.
- Last stocked
- 2024
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 10
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 1 (+2 also recorded)
- Average size
- 5 in
- Surface acres
- 1,898.9
Fish at Balsam Lake
Walleye Stocked · 10 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guideBalsam Lake is well known for its great fishing for panfish, including bluegill, sunfish, crappie, yellow perch, and bullhead, and for sport fish such as largemouth bass, walleye, and northern pike. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Balsam Lake is stocked
About 111 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 9 lakes in Polk County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
41,264
Fish stocked in 2012
93,480
Fish stocked in 2014
1,912
Fish stocked in 2016
18,998
Fish stocked in 2018
19,006
Fish stocked in 2020
19,010
Fish stocked in 2022
12,411
Fish stocked in 2024
5,304
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 5,304 | 7.1 in | report |
| 2022 | Walleye | 12,411 | 6.9 in | report |
| 2020 | Walleye | 19,010 | 6.86 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 19,006 | 6.3 in | report |
| 2016 | Walleye | 18,998 | 7.23 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 1,912 | 6.3 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 21,590 | 2 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 71,890 | 1.7 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 20,642 | 2.28 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 20,622 | 3.71 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Balsam Lake, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock
Balsam Lake, the largest lake in Polk County, has six public landings per DNR. The four ramps DNR details (Village of Balsam Lake, towns of Milltown and Georgetown) are paved or concrete with boarding docks, none with an ADA route to the dock. The village also has a public fishing pier.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you go.
About Balsam Lake
Anglers should be aware of several invasive species present in Balsam Lake, including Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris, and Zebra Mussel. (apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Balsam Lake?
Fishing Balsam Lake usually means Walleye. All 10 plants on record are Walleye. Walleye was last stocked 2024, averaging 5 in. Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Balsam Lake stocked?
Last stocked 2024. It is stocked about 0.7 times a year since 2010. About 111 reported fish per acre, 8th most of 9 lakes in Polk County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 7 years between 2010 and 2024.
How big are the fish stocked at Balsam Lake?
Walleye stocked at Balsam Lake average 5 in.
How do you get on Balsam Lake?
The nearest town is Balsam Lake, WI. Facilities include restrooms and dock. Balsam Lake, the largest lake in Polk County, has six public landings per DNR. The four ramps DNR details (Village of Balsam Lake, towns of Milltown and Georgetown) are paved or concrete with boarding docks, none with an ADA route to the dock. The village also has a public fishing pier.
Which lakes near Balsam Lake were stocked more recently?
Half Moon Lake (2 mi), Big Round Lake (7.3 mi), and Big Butternut Lake (7.5 mi) were stocked more recently. Half Moon Lake is also stocked with Walleye, Big Round Lake is also stocked with Walleye, and Big Butternut Lake is also stocked with Walleye.