Short answer: Lake Altoona is a dammed reservoir on the Eau Claire River just east of Eau Claire, bordering the City of Altoona. The Wisconsin DNR lists it at 720 acres (its 2025 fisheries report uses 840 acres), with a maximum depth of 25 feet, a mean depth of 10 feet, and 9.9 miles of shoreline. It's known for walleye and some of the highest yellow perch catch rates in the state. If you're buying here, the big checks are sediment near your frontage, the planned dam drawdown, Eau Claire County's 75-foot shoreland setback, septic or sewer, and what the pier can legally be.
Where Lake Altoona is and how it was formed
Lake Altoona sits in west-central Eau Claire County, directly east of Eau Claire. It isn't a natural lake. The 2018 Lake Altoona Management Plan explains that it was first flooded in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project, and that the dam on the west end is owned and operated by Eau Claire County. The lake is bordered by the City of Altoona and the towns of Seymour and Washington.
The Eau Claire River flows in on the east side and leaves at the dam on the west end, and it carries a lot of sand (more on that below).
Size, depth, and water clarity
The DNR's lake page lists Lake Altoona at 720 acres, with a 25-foot maximum depth, a 10-foot mean depth, and a bottom that's about 70% sand. Other official sources give larger figures: the DNR's 2025 fisheries report and Eau Claire County Parks both use 840 acres. Treat "about 720 to 840 acres" as the honest range.
On clarity, set realistic expectations. The DNR rates the lake eutrophic, and its fisheries report gives an average Secchi depth of 3.5 feet (measured in 2021). The cause is natural staining, sediment, and midsummer algae. The DNR also placed Lake Altoona on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2016. It lists two aquatic invasive species: Chinese mystery snail and curly-leaf pondweed.
Sediment, dredging, and the planned drawdown
A July 2026 U.S. EPA environmental assessment says the Eau Claire River deposits an estimated 65,000 cubic yards of sediment into the lake each year, and that the DNR classifies the lake's sedimentation rate as "extremely high." The Lake Altoona Rehabilitation and Protection District runs a sand trap upstream that needs dredging every year, but the delta at the east end has become nearly impassable.
The plan is a major fix. According to the Leader-Telegram, the county's dam repairs and a mechanical dredging project will require drawing the lake down about 8 to 9 feet, and that work was pushed from 2026 to 2027. WQOW reported that dredging is now expected to start in December 2027. Schedules can change, so confirm the current timeline with the lake district.
If you're looking at the east end or near a creek mouth, ask how deep the water is at the end of the pier in late summer.
Fishing on Lake Altoona
The DNR's 2025 survey estimated 3.5 adult walleye per acre, lower than the last survey but still healthy, with excellent natural reproduction and an average length of 17 inches. The DNR called yellow perch catch rates "some of the highest in the state," with 653 per net night. Smallmouth bass averaged 17 inches, northern pike are "coming on strong," and young bluegill and crappie are growing faster than the state average. Musky and largemouth bass are also present.
Check current DNR regulations before you fish, since panfish rules on Lake Altoona have differed from statewide limits in the past.
Boat launches, the county park, and recreation
The DNR lists two public boat landings, off Indian Hills Drive and off Kewin Street, plus one public beach. Its fisheries report notes the Eau Claire County landing on the south end gets most of the use.
Lake Altoona County Park (604 Beach Rd) sits on the south shore, a few miles from downtown Eau Claire. Eau Claire County Parks lists a large beach (no lifeguards), a clubhouse, reservable shelters, and playgrounds. The park season runs May 15 to October 15, and pets aren't allowed. The DNR notes local boating ordinances on speed limits and swimming areas, so read the posted sign at the landing.
What shoreline homes are like
The DNR's fisheries report describes a "high amount of shoreline development," and the lake management plan notes year-round homes ring the lake with no businesses on it. Expect mostly year-round homes, with some lots in the City of Altoona and others in the towns. Which side of the city line a home is on changes who handles permits, sewer, and services, so confirm it early.
Shoreland zoning, septic, and piers
Eau Claire County's shoreland rules apply within 1,000 feet of a lake or flowage. For properties under county zoning, Title 18 generally requires:
- A 75-foot setback from the ordinary high-water mark for buildings and structures, unless exempt or reduced
- A 35-foot vegetative buffer along the shore, with limited removal allowed for an access and viewing corridor
- Up to 15% impervious surface within 300 feet of the water, or up to 30% with a mitigation plan
Lots inside the City of Altoona may follow city rules instead. Call Eau Claire County Land Use Controls (715-839-4741) or the city to confirm.
For septic, Wisconsin requires that a private system be visually inspected at least every three years and serviced when sludge and scum reach one-third of the tank, with reports going to the county. Confirm whether the home is on public sewer or a private system, and ask for maintenance records.
For piers, the DNR's 2026 Pier Planner says a pier is generally exempt from a permit if it's no more than 6 feet wide, reaches only to 3 feet of water (or enough to moor a boat), has a loading platform of 200 square feet or less, and stays within slip limits for your frontage.
What to check before buying on Lake Altoona
- Water depth at the shoreline and pier, especially near the east-end delta
- How the 2027 drawdown could affect boating and pier use that year
- City of Altoona or town, and who issues permits
- Public sewer or septic, with records
- Permit history for the home, decks, and shoreline work
- Floodplain status and insurance quotes
- Comparable sales on Lake Altoona itself
Comparing lakes? Read our Lake Wissota buyer's guide and our Chippewa Valley waterfront guide. If you're also looking off the water, see our guide to buying in Eau Claire, Altoona, and Chippewa Falls.
Working with Copper Key
Copper Key Realty & Waterfront is a licensed brokerage based in Eau Claire with a local waterfront focus. Nate Moquin, Broker/Owner, has a 4.9-star rating across 72 Google reviews (as of October 2026), and CommunityVotes Eau Claire ranked Copper Key Platinum for Real Estate Agents and Brokers in 2024 and Gold for Real Estate Brokers in 2025.
On a lake purchase or sale, negotiation is where the real difference shows up. Copper Key negotiates for its clients, sellers and buyers alike, strategically and systematically, to get them the best terms and price possible. Nate shares exactly how that works in person, so if Lake Altoona is on your list, call 715-456-8597 to sit down with him.
FAQ
How big is Lake Altoona?
The DNR's lake page lists 720 acres, while its 2025 fisheries report and Eau Claire County Parks use 840 acres. Maximum depth is 25 feet, mean depth 10 feet.
How many boat landings are on Lake Altoona?
The DNR lists two public landings, off Indian Hills Drive and Kewin Street, plus a public beach at Lake Altoona County Park.
Is Lake Altoona clear?
No. The DNR rates it eutrophic, with an average Secchi depth of 3.5 feet in 2021, due to staining, sediment, and summer algae.
What fish are in Lake Altoona?
Walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, musky, bluegill, and black crappie. The DNR's 2025 survey found perch catch rates among the highest in the state.
Will Lake Altoona be drawn down?
Current plans call for an 8- to 9-foot drawdown for dam repairs and dredging, with dredging reported to start in December 2027. Confirm the schedule with the lake district.
COPPER KEY REALTY & WATERFRONT LLC d/b/a Copper Key Realty & Waterfront · 3310 Miller St, Suite C, Eau Claire, WI 54701 · 715-456-8597 · Equal Housing Opportunity
Nate Moquin, Broker/Owner (Lic. #59689-90) · Brokerage Lic. #939197-91 · Bio: copperkeysolutions.com/nate-moquin