Paya 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: Five smallmouth and largemouth bass may be kept. Smallmouth bass must be at least 14”. Largemouth bass between 14-18” may not be kept and only one over 18” may be kept.
• Largemouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length for largemouth bass, and bag limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass is 5 in total.
• Largemouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length is 18, but largemouth bass from 14” to 18” may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 1.
• 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 10.
• 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: The daily bag limit is 0.
• Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: Minimum length for smallmouth bass is 14” and bag limit for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass is 5 in total.
• 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.