Columbia Lake

Columbia Lake

Size
85ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Columbia Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Brown trout
Brown trout
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Columbia Lake Overview

Productive and diverse fishery. Excellent largemouth bluegill and crappie action. Unique brown trout population. Navigable chain of 23 lakes ranging in size from 1.7-to 116-acres.

Fishing Regulations in Columbia 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

  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • 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.
  • 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 25.
  • Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • 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.
  • 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 18” 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.

Columbia Lake Features

The Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes is comprised of 23 inter-connected lakes, ranging in size from 1.7-acre Nymph Lake to 116-acre Rainbow Lake. This popular chain of lakes is noted for its clear water and a wide range of recreational activities. Because boating pressure can be extremely heavy on these small lakes, special regulations are in effect. 1.Water skiing hours Saturday, Sunday and Holidays - 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday - 10:00 a.m.. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2.Ski counter-clockwise only 3.Slow no wake is the only legal speed after dark. 4.Slow no wake in Long Cove, Snug Harbor and all channels. 5.Slow no wake on all lakes except Rainbow, Round, Columbia and Long.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
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
Brown trout
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
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
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
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
Smallmouth bass
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
Tiger 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
Walleye
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