Red Cedar Lake, Barron County Fishing
A 1,897-acre Wisconsin lake in Barron County, down to 53 feet.
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Red Cedar Lake, Barron County, the essentials
Red Cedar Lake, Barron County covers 1,897 acres in Barron County, according to the WDNR Find a Lake record. The WDNR gives a maximum depth of 53 feet. Groceries and gas are in Birchwood, around 4 miles from the water. On the WDNR map it belongs to the Northern Region. In the DNR lake classification it is complex two story.
The DNR walleye layer lists recruitment as stocking plus natural reproduction. Water quality rules treat it as an Outstanding Resource Water. It is a ceded territory lake for walleye limits. WDNR lists largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish for it. Boaters use 2 public boat landings. Clarity from satellite data averages 6.3 feet (2017).
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WDNR rates each fish group in Red Cedar Lake, Barron County as abundant, common or present.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Panfish | Present |
On Red Cedar Lake, Barron County the walleye source is stocking plus natural reproduction.
Fishery outlook for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County by class
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Putting in on Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Red Cedar Lake Public Boat Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Cedar Lake
- Waldo Carlson Park Boat Ramp1 lane, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, fish cleaning, Parks & Recreation Dept.
Nearby ramps for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Mikana Dam Carry-in AccessRed Cedar River, 2 miles southwest
- Bass Lake Access near BirchwoodBass Lake, 2 miles north
- Twin Lakes (Chain Lakes) AccessChain Lake/Twin Lake, 3 miles west
- Hemlock Lake Public Boat LandingHemlock Lake, 3 miles south
- Balsam Lake Access near BirchwoodBalsam Lake, 3 miles north
- Birch Lake RampBirch Lake, 4 miles north
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Red Cedar Lake, Barron County clarity and bottom
Bottom makeup at Red Cedar Lake, Barron County: 60% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck.
Red Cedar Lake, Barron County is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
The DNR lists chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish and yellow iris as invasive species in Red Cedar Lake, Barron County. Never move live bait or water from it.
Posted ordinances for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County address slow-no-wake areas.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Limits by species on Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
The rows below come from the WDNR Lake Regulation record for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County, 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 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. |
General WDNR note for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County: 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.
Barron County note in the guide: Barron 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).
The Hwy 10 pike line puts Red Cedar Lake, Barron County 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.
WDNR-permitted events on Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
Dates, sponsors and results for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County have a page of their own.
Nearby lakes and Red Cedar Lake, Barron County in one table
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Cedar Lake, Barron County | 1,897 | 53 | 2 | complex two story | |
| Pickerel Lake, Barron County | 2 miles northwest | 38 | 25 | 0 | simple cool dark |
| Bass Lake near Birchwood, Barron County | 2 miles north | 20 | 39 | 1 | simple cool clear |
| Balsam Lake, Washburn County | 3 miles north | 325 | 49 | 1 | complex two story |
| Chain Lake, Barron County | 3 miles west | 86 | 19 | 1 | simple warm clear |
| Hemlock Lake, Barron County | 3 miles south | 364 | 21 | 1 | complex cool dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Places near Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
Wisconsin lakes around Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Pickerel Lake, Barron County2 miles northwest
- Bass Lake near Birchwood, Barron County2 miles north
- Balsam Lake, Washburn County3 miles north
- Chain Lake, Barron County3 miles west
- Hemlock Lake, Barron County3 miles south
Where anglers buy bait around Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Long Lake Bait Tackle & C-STRbait and tackle shop, Sarona, 11 miles
- Intruder Incbait and tackle shop, Rice Lake, 11 miles
- Farm & Fleet Of Rice Lakefarm and general store with fishing gear, Rice Lake, 11 miles
- Walmart Rice Lakefarm and general store with fishing gear, Rice Lake, 13 miles
- North Country AGbait and tackle shop, Cameron, 15 miles
- K&t Archery And Sport Shopsporting goods store, Sarona, 16 miles
Home bases for a trip to Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Birchwood4 miles
- Haugen9 miles
- Rice Lake12 miles
County guides for Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
- Barron Countyseat: Barron
Piscifun picks matched to Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
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Species you may hook at Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Scott Harden, CC BY-SA 4.0
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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 Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
Which WDNR region covers Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
It sits in Barron County, WDNR Northern Region, about 4 miles from Birchwood.
How large and deep is Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
WDNR lists 1,897 acres and 53 feet at the deepest.
Is there a public boat landing on Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
The WDNR maps 2 mapped landings; start with Red Cedar Lake Public Boat Landing.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
Expect largemouth bass (common), northern pike (common), smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common) and panfish (present).
Does Red Cedar Lake, Barron County 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 Red Cedar Lake, Barron County 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 Red Cedar Lake, Barron County a seepage or drainage lake?
Satellite clarity about 6.3 feet (2017). Bottom: 60% sand, 30% gravel, 10% rock, 0% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
Try Long Lake Bait Tackle & C-STR, around 11 miles off.
Are there invasive species in Red Cedar Lake, Barron County?
On file: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish and yellow iris.
Plan a Wisconsin lake day on Red Cedar Lake, Barron County
Read the lake rules above, then pick a landing.