Apple River Flowage Fishing
A 604-acre Wisconsin flowage in Polk County, down to 18 feet.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of St. Croix River: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Getting acquainted with Apple River Flowage
The WDNR lists Apple River Flowage at 604 acres, a flowage in Polk County. Depths reach 18 feet at the deepest spot, with a mean of 6 feet. In a straight line, about 5 miles separates the lake from Amery. Fisheries work here comes out of the Northern Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads simple riverine.
Walleye rules here follow the ceded territory standard. Fish on its WDNR list include panfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge and northern pike. The WDNR access layer maps 4 public boat landings. WDNR satellite clarity is 8.6 feet for 2017.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 How abundant the fish are in Apple River Flowage
The DNR sorts the Apple River Flowage fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
The WDNR class note for Apple River Flowage
“Simple riverine lakes may have good action opportunities for smallmouth bass and quality opportunities for northern pike. They rarely have any walleye or muskellunge.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Landings around Apple River Flowage
- Apple River Access near Amery (WDNR 1179)1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Town of Lincoln
- Birch Street Boat Ramp1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Public Works Dept.
- North Park Canoe Launch1 lane, boarding dock, restroom, Public Works Dept.
- Apple River County Park Canoe Launchcarry-in, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, restroom, Parks Department
Public landings near Apple River Flowage
- Omer Spring AccessOmer Spring, 1 mile northwest
- Pike Lake Access near AmeryPike Lake, 3 miles south
- North Twin Lake Boat RampNorth Twin Lake, 4 miles south
- Sunrise Beach Public AccessWapogasset Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Wild Goose Lake AccessWild Goose Lake, 4 miles northwest
- South Twin Lake Access near AmerySouth Twin Lake, 4 miles south
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Apple River Flowage
Under the water, Apple River Flowage is 40% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 50% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Apple River Flowage is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Apple River Flowage has these invasive species on file: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed and purple loosestrife. Rinse gear before the next lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Apple River Flowage
WDNR lists these Apple River Flowage seasons and bag rules species by species.
| 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 25. |
| 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. |
The WDNR record for Apple River Flowage adds: 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.
County text for Polk: Polk County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person). Largemouth and smallmouth bass of any length may be kept in all waters that are border waters between Burnett and Polk counties.
Apple River Flowage is north of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Southern Bass Zone for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Apple River Flowage stocking history
Apple River Flowage received 604 fish over 1 stocking records between 2024 and 2024.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 13.3 in | 604 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Apple River Flowage beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple River Flowage | 604 | 18 | 4 | simple riverine | |
| Markee Spring | 1 mile northwest | 1 | 10 | 1 | simple trout pond |
| Brusher Lake | 2 miles northwest | 67 | 17 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Pike Lake, Polk County | 4 miles south | 148 | 33 | 1 | complex warm clear |
| Beautiful Lake | 4 miles northeast | 30 | 17 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| North Twin Lake, Polk County | 4 miles south | 129 | 27 | 1 | complex warm clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Apple River Flowage
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Apple River Flowage
- Markee Spring1 mile northwest
- Brusher Lake2 miles northwest
- Pike Lake, Polk County4 miles south
- Beautiful Lake4 miles northeast
- North Twin Lake, Polk County4 miles south
Tackle shops a short drive from Apple River Flowage
- DOCK AND BOAT LIFT SERVICEmarina, Amery, 4 miles
- D Cav LLC Sports And Moresporting goods store, Amery, 5 miles
- Reed's Sunnyside Marinamarina, Balsam Lake, 6 miles
- Mort's Marinamarina, Amery, 8 miles
- Deer Lake Sportssporting goods store, St Croix Falls, 8 miles
- St Croix Outdoorssporting goods store, St Croix Falls, 10 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Apple River Flowage
- Amery5 miles
- Balsam Lake7 miles
- Clear Lake10 miles
County pages for Apple River Flowage
- Polk Countyseat: Balsam Lake
Gear from Piscifun for Apple River Flowage
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Shoreline scenes a drive from Apple River Flowage
Photo: Seclusive Nature, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick facts people look up on Apple River Flowage
How far is Apple River Flowage from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Polk County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Amery.
How big is Apple River Flowage by the WDNR count?
About 604 acres and 18 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Apple River Flowage?
Try Apple River Access near Amery (WDNR 1179), one of 4 mapped landings.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Apple River Flowage?
Find a Lake names panfish (abundant), largemouth bass (common), muskellunge (common) and northern pike (common).
What can I keep from Apple River Flowage?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: 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.
Is a stamp needed on Apple River Flowage?
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.
What lake class is Apple River Flowage?
Satellite clarity about 8.6 feet (2017). Bottom: 40% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 50% muck. WDNR class: simple riverine. Type: drainage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Apple River Flowage?
Closest on our list: DOCK AND BOAT LIFT SERVICE, 4 miles.
What has been stocked in Apple River Flowage?
In 2024, 604 muskellunge.
Put Apple River Flowage on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.