Goose Lake

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Size

13ac

Boat Launch

Carry-in Launch

Toilet

Boat Dock

Overview

Goose 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 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

Bluegill: See Panfish
Bowfin: See Rough Fish
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
Channel catfish: See Catfish
Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
Crappies: See Panfish
Flathead catfish: See Catfish
Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass
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
Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Longnose gar: See Rough Fish
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
Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish
Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer
Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply
Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 15” 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

Pool 7’s recreational use is among one of the highest of the Upper Mississippi River Pools. The dominant feature of this area is Lake Onalaska, famous throughout the Midwest for its fishing, boating and waterfowl hunting resources. The lake is a large 7,700 acres of backwater with a divers population of fish and waterfowl. The nearest bridge crossing, I-90 is immediately downstream of Lock and Dam 7. Approximately 65% of Pool 7 is classified as backwater.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the most prevalent species found. Other species include silver chub, speckled chub, emerald shiner, river shiner, spotfin shiner, juvenile panfish, carp, and bullhead.

Seasonal Movements

Walleye begin to concentrate below the dam during the late winter months until ice out in March. As the water temperature rises into the 40’s, walleye move upstream from winter areas into backwater areas for spawning. Spawning takes place when the temperature is between 47-51 degrees, which is usually in April. White bass concentrate below dams and spillways as the walleye run ends, usually ends by in late April. Most largemouth are found in backwaters until mid-June since these are the first areas to warm. When the backwaters warm these fish move to side channels and main channel edges where they can be found along riprap. Some of the largemouth spend summer in tributary streams. When the water cools bass move to low-current areas in or near backwater complexes. Northern Pike share the same seasonal movement as largemouth bass.