Smith 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

• Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
• Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

• Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
• 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.
• Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• 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.
• Lake sturgeon: September 7, 2024 to September 30, 2024: All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60” and season limit is 1 fish.
• Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
• Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
• Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
• Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit, but only 1 fish over 14” is allowed and the daily bag limit is 3.
• Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
• 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.
• Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
• White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
• 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.