Des Moines Lake
Burnett County, Wisconsin · WBIC 2674200
Size
229 acres
Max depth
37 ft
DNR lake type
Simple, Warm, clear water color
Water clarity
18.5 ft
Clear, measured Aug 2026
A warm-water lake type: the DNR groups it with lakes that warm up through summer. This describes the lake type in general, not this lake in particular.
Outline
Numbered dots are boat landings; tap one for directions. The list below has the same numbers. Drawn from the DNR's 24K hydrography (surveyed 1983), so the shape is approximate and a landing can sit a little off the shore. Open the DNR lake map.
Water clarity
18.5 ft Secchi depthClear
Last measured Aug 28, 2026. 72 readings on record, 1991 to 2026.
Typical summer clarity (June to September): 19 ft, clear, from 44 readings (2012 to 2026).
Secchi depth is how far down a white disk stays visible. A bigger number means clearer water. Clear means a Secchi depth of 10 feet or more, moderate 5 to 10 feet, low under 5 feet.
Wisconsin DNR water monitoring (volunteer and staff), via the Water Quality Portal; station DES MOINES LAKE - DEEP HOLE. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
Water temperature
83.3°F surface, measured Aug 28, 2026
Measured near the surface (0 m down). A single reading, not a daily value.
A typical year Modeled estimate
- Ice goes outabout Apr 18 (Apr 10 to Apr 26)
- Surface reaches 48°Fabout May 4 (Apr 24 to May 8)
- Surface reaches 64°Fabout May 25 (May 21 to May 31)
- June surface71°F, usually 69 to 72°F
- July surface77°F, usually 76 to 78°F
- August surface74°F, usually 72 to 76°F
Forms a warm top layer around May 7, lasting about 145 days.
A computer model of this lake's typical weather and water, built from 15 years, 2005 to 2019. Ranges show the middle half of years. The model was not calibrated against measured temperatures for this lake. It is an estimate, not a measurement.
Measured: Wisconsin DNR via the Water Quality Portal (checked Oct 23, 2026). Modeled: U.S. Geological Survey lake temperature data release (doi:10.5066/P9CA6XP8).
Today at the lake
Forecast: National Weather Service (no endorsement implied). Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated. The moon phase can be a day off.
Stocking history
- Muskellungelast stocked 2012 (large fingerling); stocked in 2 years since 2010
Stocking shows what was added to the lake, not what is in it now.
Wisconsin DNR annual fish stocking summary. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
Boat landings
- 1Long Lake AccessBoat ramp · Concrete Panels surface · Township
Directions - 2Des Moines Lake AccessBoat ramp · Concrete Panels surface · Township
Directions
Wisconsin DNR public boat access sites. Checked Oct 23, 2026.
More lakes in Burnett County
- Long Lake0.3 miles away
- Ferry Lake1.2 miles away
- Lucerne Lake1.2 miles away
- Little Bear Lake1.3 miles away
- Sanks Lake1.4 miles away
- Hanscom Lake1.5 miles away
Where this comes from
- Size, depth and lake typeWisconsin DNR lake classifications, checked Oct 23, 2026
- OutlineWisconsin DNR 24K hydrography, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Stocking historyWisconsin DNR annual fish stocking summary, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Regulations linkWisconsin DNR fishing regulations (linked, not restated), checked Oct 23, 2026
- Boat landingsWisconsin DNR public boat access sites, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Water clarityWisconsin DNR water monitoring, via the Water Quality Portal, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Measured temperatureWisconsin DNR water monitoring, via the Water Quality Portal, checked Oct 23, 2026
- Typical-year temperatureU.S. Geological Survey lake temperature model (modeled estimate), checked Oct 23, 2026
- VHS statusWisconsin DNR VHS status by watershed, checked Oct 24, 2026
- Depth map linkWisconsin DNR lake maps list, checked Oct 24, 2026
See data sources for what each source covers, and about for how the numbers are matched to lakes.
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