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Balsam Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Balsam LakePolk County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours5-foot typical interval · Sonar-derived depth (C-MAP Genesis) · Gaps interpolated · Not for navigation
Source: C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived)high confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthDepths decoded from C-MAP Genesis Social Map community sonar recordings (used with permission), covering 74% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 37-ft maximum depth. More accurate than a pure model, but still an estimate. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
Plan your lake day
Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Balsam Lake.
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Balsam Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Balsam Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
74°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
From Wisconsin DNR / Citizen Lake Monitoring readings at Balsam Lake near Kemoh Park Ln (S5).
Sampled Sep 2025Volunteer monitoring since 1987
Clear water — summer clarity of 12.5 ft is clearer than most monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August 2025 averages across 4 volunteer readings.47Mesotrophic5-yr summer TSI
Moderately clear with moderate nutrients — a typical profile for good swimming lakes.
Water claritySecchi disk depth
12.5 ftJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
ClearClearer than 73% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
6 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
Moderate2010–2025
No recent nutrient readings — last measured 2010.
All readings by year · station details · methodology
Summer averages (July/August)
July/August means; counts in parentheses show how many samples went into each average.
| Year | Secchi | Chlorophyll-a | Total phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12.5 ft (2) | 6.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2024 | 15.0 ft (2) | 4.0 µg/L (2) | 12.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2010 | — | 9.0 µg/L (4) | 22.3 µg/L (4) |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 12.5 ft (2025-09-08), chlorophyll-a 5 µg/L (2025-09-08), and total phosphorus 12 µg/L (2024-07-16).
Secchi clarity is how deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface — more feet means clearer water.
Chlorophyll-a is an algae pigment; higher values signal more algae in the water column.
Total phosphorus is a nutrient that feeds algae and aquatic plants. It is not a weed survey — depth, bottom type, water movement, and management change the actual lake experience.
Balsam Lake near Kemoh Park Ln (S5)Station 10029967 · TSI based on chlorophyll
Modeled from DNR/CLMN monitoring — not a safety or swim-condition report. Verify current conditions locally. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps2 converted map sheetsView DNR depth mapHistorical map · not for navigationFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Balsam Lake depth maps
2 converted map sheets. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Balsam Lake · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 2620600 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
1,901surface acres
37max depth feet
4public access points
45.4654, -92.4273latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchAccess at Village Beach - Off Mill St Nr Cth I45.45218, -92.45095Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchAccess Off Hwy 4645.46313, -92.46878Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchEast Balsam Landing - Access off 110th45.47078, -92.39118Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchLittle Balsam Landing - Access off 190th Ave45.48370, -92.44673Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Nearby
Trip-planning places
CampgroundBalsam Lake Campground1.8 miles away
CampgroundDN Campground3.6 miles away
CampgroundApple River Park & Campground6.0 miles away
CampgroundCampground6.2 miles away
CampgroundCampground6.2 miles away
CampgroundOx Lake Bible Camp6.4 miles away
Fishery
Notable species
Largemouth BassNorthern PikePanfishWalleye
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2024, when 5,304 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2024
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Large Fingerling
5,3047.1 in average
2022
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
12,4116.9 in average
2020
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
19,0106.9 in average
2018
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
19,0066.3 in average
2016
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
18,9987.2 in average
2014
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
1,9126.3 in average
2012
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Small Fingerling
71,8901.7 in average
2012
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Small Fingerling
21,5902.0 in average
2010
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Small Fingerling
20,6223.7 in average
2010
WalleyeUnspecified · Small Fingerling
20,6422.3 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake is 37 feet deep at its deepest point, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Balsam Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Balsam Lake at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived) survey data.
Where does the Balsam Lake depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived). Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are derived from community sonar recordings (C-MAP Genesis Social Map, used with permission), with gaps between recordings interpolated; not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Mapsname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-20
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