Altoona Lake Fishing
A 720-acre Wisconsin flowage in Eau Claire County, down to 25 feet.
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Altoona Lake, the essentials
Altoona Lake covers 720 acres in Eau Claire County, according to the WDNR Find a Lake record. The WDNR gives a maximum depth of 25 feet, with a mean of 10 feet. Groceries and gas are in Seymour, under a mile from the water. On the WDNR map it belongs to the West Central Region. In the DNR lake classification it is complex riverine.
It is on the WDNR musky waters list (reproduction unk, stocking occurs (cat. 0)). The DNR walleye layer lists recruitment as natural reproduction only. It is a ceded territory lake for walleye limits. WDNR lists smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and panfish for it. Boaters use 2 public boat landings. Clarity from satellite data averages 4.1 feet (2017).
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WDNR rates each fish group in Altoona Lake as abundant, common or present.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Musky | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
On Altoona Lake the walleye source is natural reproduction only. Musky in Altoona Lake fall under reproduction unk, stocking occurs (cat. 0).
Fishery outlook for Altoona Lake by class
“Complex riverine lakes often support great fisheries for riverine species like smallmouth bass, and in some systems, walleye.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Putting in on Altoona Lake
- Lake Altoona County Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Eau Claire County Parks & Forest Dept.
- Lake Altoona Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Seymour
Walk-up fishing at Altoona Lake
- Lake Altoona Fishing Pierdeveloped shore fishing site, City Of Altoona Parks & Rec. Dept., end depth 3 feet
Nearby ramps for Altoona Lake
- Mount Simon Park Boat RampDells Pond/Chippewa River, 4 miles west
- Riverview Park Boat RampDells Pond/Chippewa River, 4 miles northwest
- Hobbs LandingChippewa River, 5 miles west
- Clark Hughes Boat LaunchLake Hallie, 5 miles north
- Chippewa River Access near Lake Hallie (WDNR 1042)Chippewa River, 5 miles north
- Lake Hallie AccessLake Hallie, 5 miles north
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Altoona Lake clarity and bottom
Bottom makeup at Altoona Lake: 70% sand, 10% gravel, 20% rock, 0% muck.
Altoona Lake is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
The DNR lists chinese mystery snail and curly-leaf pondweed as invasive species in Altoona Lake. Never move live bait or water from it.
Posted ordinances for Altoona Lake address speed limits (mph), swimming area, behavior-safe riding capacities, racing, seaplanes.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Limits by species on Altoona Lake
The rows below come from the WDNR Lake Regulation record for Altoona Lake, season by season.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | 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. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
General WDNR note for Altoona Lake: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
Eau Claire County note in the guide: Eau Claire County is partially in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
The Hwy 10 pike line puts Altoona Lake on its north side; bass rows follow the Southern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Nearby lakes and Altoona Lake in one table
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona Lake | 720 | 25 | 2 | complex riverine | |
| Dells Pond | 4 miles west | 622 | 30 | 0 | complex riverine |
| Lake Hallie, Lake Hallie 2 | 4 miles north | 79 | 13 | 1 | simple warm clear |
| Halfmoon Lake, Eau Claire County | 5 miles west | 135 | 9 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Fall Creek Pond | 8 miles southeast | 15 | 10 | 1 | simple riverine |
| Cooley Lake, Eau Claire County | 9 miles southwest | 34 | 8 | 0 | complex riverine |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Places near Altoona Lake
Wisconsin lakes around Altoona Lake
- Dells Pond4 miles west
- Lake Hallie, Lake Hallie 24 miles north
- Halfmoon Lake, Eau Claire County5 miles west
- Fall Creek Pond8 miles southeast
- Cooley Lake, Eau Claire County9 miles southwest
Where anglers buy bait around Altoona Lake
- Walmart Eau Clairefarm and general store with fishing gear, Eau Claire, 3 miles
- Scheels All Sportssporting goods store, Eau Claire, 3 miles
- Buroker's Taxidermy Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Eau Claire, 3 miles
- Fleet Farm Eau Clairefarm and general store with fishing gear, Eau Claire, 4 miles
- Big Sportsmans Outletbait and tackle shop, Eau Claire, 4 miles
- Farm & Fleet Of Chippewa Fallsfarm and general store with fishing gear, Chippewa Falls, 4 miles
Home bases for a trip to Altoona Lake
- Seymourunder a mile
- Altoona1 mile
- Eau Claire4 miles
County guides for Altoona Lake
- Eau Claire Countyseat: Eau Claire
Piscifun picks matched to Altoona Lake
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Species you may hook at Altoona Lake
Photo: ASprigOfFig at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions anglers bring up about Altoona Lake
Which WDNR region covers Altoona Lake?
It sits in Eau Claire County, WDNR West Central Region, under a mile from Seymour.
How large and deep is Altoona Lake?
WDNR lists 720 acres and 25 feet at the deepest.
Is there a public boat landing on Altoona Lake?
The WDNR maps 2 mapped landings; start with Lake Altoona County Park Boat Ramp.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in Altoona Lake?
Expect smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common), muskellunge (present) and panfish (present).
Does Altoona Lake have its own WDNR regulations?
The Walleye, sauger and hybrids entry reads 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.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Altoona Lake on a Wisconsin license?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Is Altoona Lake a seepage or drainage lake?
Satellite clarity about 4.1 feet (2017). Bottom: 70% sand, 10% gravel, 20% rock, 0% muck. WDNR class: complex riverine. Type: drainage.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest Altoona Lake?
Try Walmart Eau Claire, around 3 miles off.
Are there invasive species in Altoona Lake?
On file: chinese mystery snail and curly-leaf pondweed.
Plan a Wisconsin lake day on Altoona Lake
Read the lake rules above, then pick a landing.