Castle Rock Lake
The Wisconsin River flowage just below Petenwell, with sandy beaches and 11 public landings. Walleye are managed with a protected slot.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Common. Protected slot of 20–28 in. River channel edges and rock.
Panfish
Bluegill, crappie and perch in weeds and brush. Great through the ice.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Musky
Big baits along weed edges, rock bars and channel breaks, best in fall.
Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and river mouths in the evening.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Panfish | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass |
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1State Highway 21 Wayside Boat LaunchPublicUpper lake near Petenwell DamDirections ↗
- 221st Ave Boat LaunchPublicUpper lakeDirections ↗
- 11 public landings in totalPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all locationsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Walleye, sauger and hybrids; 20 in to 28 in may not be kept; only 1 fish over 28 in; open all year | 15 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Open all year | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Northern Pike Open all year | 32 in | 1 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2 - Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 50 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Castle Rock Dam Bait Shop10.3 mi1977 Edgewood Drive, Friendship · closest to 21st Ave Boat Launch(608) 474-0532Directions ↗
Local tips
- The tailwater below Petenwell Dam is a spring walleye hotspot.
- Sandy flats warm quickly, so the bite starts early.
- Three public beaches make it good for family trips.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Castle Rock Lake.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.