Size
15ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Pope Lake
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Bluegill
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.
Pope Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
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 25.
- 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: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” 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: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
- 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.
- Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 18” and 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.
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.
Forage
Brown trout, walleye and northern pike utilize the abundant cisco population throughout the year. Juvenile bluegill are targeted by the largemouth bass. Bluntnose minnow, spottail shiner, brook silverside and trout perch are also present.
Weather
70°Feels like 70°
78°
52°
78°52°6:10 AM
7:47 PM
2 mph
Northwest
0 in
Rain
30.03 inHg
Stable
MondayMo
78° / 52°
TuesdayTu
83° / 63°
WednesdayWe
82° / 59°
ThursdayTh
81° / 53°
FridayFr
81° / 56°
SaturdaySa
82° / 65°
Moon Phase
August 24, 2026
87% Illumination
waxing gibbous, getting brighter
MondayMo08/24
TuesdayTu08/25
WednesdayWe08/26
ThursdayTh08/27
FridayFr08/28
SaturdaySa08/29
SundaySu08/30
Get Your Line in the Right Water
Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.
Top Fish Species
Largemouth bass
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
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
