Catfish Lake

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

• Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
• Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.

Special Species Regulations

• Lake 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.
• Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
• Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
• 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.
• Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
• Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
• 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.
• 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.
• Largemouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: The minimum length limit is 14” 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.
• Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
• Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
• 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.
• Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.