Ross Lake

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Size

54ac

Boat Launch

Carry-in Launch

Toilet

Boat Dock

Species in Ross Lake

Largemouth bass

Northern pike

Ross Lake Overview

The state's second largest lake, widely known for exciting spring walleye runs. Good numbers of white bass and crappie offer steady action. Muskie, bass and pike also available..

Fishing Regulations in Ross 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 up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.

Special Species Regulations

Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
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.
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 limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3.
Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
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.

Ross Lake Features

Petenwell flowage was created in the late 1940’s and became the second largest inland lake in Wisconsin. The dam that blocks the Wisconsin River to form the Petenwell Flowage was created to provide hydroelectric power and flood control. Petenwell is heavily used for many recreational activities such as: boating, fishing, swimming, hunting and canoeing/kayaking. The flowage provides many opportunities for shore anglers at a variety of locations. The Petenwell Flowage has an annual catch and release muskie tournament founded by Todd Forcier and has also hosted bowfishing tournaments for rough fish. Stumps, submerged timber and shallow water make parts of the flowage difficult to navigate. Many of these hazards are not marked on this map or with buoys. Careful navigation should be used, especially in the upper third of the flowage. A navigational channel is marked with buoys from Browns Creek outlet area downstream to Yellow Banks and from Devils Elbow to the Wisconsin River channel. Buoys have also been placed along the edge of Strongs Prairie Flats to indicate the shallow and dangerous area east of the buoys. Almost the entire shoreline of Petenwell is open to public use, with a few exceptions. The public access is from the shoreline back 100 feet. This strip is marked with signs and has walking trails. The exceptions to public access are well marked.

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Fish Species

Largemouth bass

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

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