Banks 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 Species Regulations

• Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
• Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
• Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
• Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
• Largemouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
• Muskellunge And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
• Northern Pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
• Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
• Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
• Rock, Yellow, And White Bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
• Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
• Ruffe: 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.
• Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
• Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
• Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: 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.
• White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.