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

Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
Channel catfish: See Catfish.
Crappies: See Panfish.
Bluegill: See Panfish.
White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2
Muskellunge and hybrids: May 3, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: The minimum length limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3
Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.

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.