Lake Nokomis

Lake Nokomis

Size
2230ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Nokomis
Bluegill
Bluegill
Catfish
Catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Lake Nokomis Overview

Large, irregular impoundment known for walleye, bass and panfish. Fluctuating water levels add to the challenge. Ample cover in the form of weeds, wood and rocks.

Fishing Regulations in Lake Nokomis

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
  • Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
  • Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the RICE RESERVOIR CHAIN including BRIDGE LAKE, RICE RIVER FLOWAGE*(NOKOMIS)

Special Species Regulations

  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: 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.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Largemouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25, 25 panfish may be kept, but only 10 of any one species.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 15, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: 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.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.

Lake Nokomis Features

Located in north central Wisconsin, Lake Nokomis sits just north of Highway 8 and the city of Tomahawk, WI. The lake was created in 1911 when the Bradley Dam was finished across the Tomahawk River. The lake is one of several Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company’s lakes and reservoirs, designed to regulate and stabilize the flow of the Wisconsin River. As a result, the lake experiences drastic seasonal water fluctuations. The lake is also referred to as the Rice Reservoir and is composed of the Rice River Flowage, Deer Lake, Bridge Lake and of course Lake Nokomis. Navigational hazards are common to anglers and boaters on Nokomis. Unmarked rock bars, stump fields and sandbars are the typical hazards present. An unusual hazard exists, locally referred to as “bogs”. When water levels drop drastically during summer, large floating islands appear throughout the lake. These bogs move from day to day and can create extremely dangerous hazards. Ice conditions become very unsafe near any of the road bridges located around the lake. These areas exhibit current and result in no ice or very thin ice.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
48.48
0Statewide Range756.91

Lake Nokomis Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
3.03
0Statewide Range80.13

Lake Nokomis Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
13-17 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.77
0Statewide Range133.44

Lake Nokomis Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
9-27 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
7.08
0Statewide Range15.56

Lake Nokomis Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Perch
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.63
0Statewide Range0.74

Lake Nokomis Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
3.57
0Statewide Range85.42

Lake Nokomis Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
15.15
0Statewide Range64.26

Lake Nokomis Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Smallmouth bass
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
4.72
0Statewide Range28.41

Lake Nokomis Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.91
0Statewide Range1.25

Lake Nokomis Tiger muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-20 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
144.75
0Statewide Range106.53

Lake Nokomis Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths