Size
6,435ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Walleye
Smallmouth bass
Perch
Northern pike
Muskellunge
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Overview
Large, fertile impoundment known for walleye, crappie and perch. A year-round producer. One of Central Wisconsin's top ice-fishing locations.
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir 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 32” and the daily bag limit is 1
- 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
- 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 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
Features
Constructed by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company in 1937, the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is utilized for flood control and stabilizing the flow of the Wisconsin River. The Big Eau Pleine County Park, located on the north side of the lake, provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including camping, swimming, picnic sites and boat launching.
The Big Eau Pleine Reservoir receives heavy recreational use throughout the year, especially during the ice fishing season. Anglers must realize that unsafe ice conditions are usually present near the dam, under the bridges and by the aerators.
Boaters should be aware that fluctuations in water levels can create navigation hazards and make launching difficult. During high-water periods, passage under the Halder and Moon Bridges can be difficult for large boats and pontoons.
Forage
Walleye prey heavily on young-of-the-year perch and crappie. Sucker and redhorse are utilized by muskie and northern pike. Bluntnose minnow and a variety of other minnow species are also available.
Get Your Line in the Right Water
Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.
Top Fish Species
Walleye
8-17 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2025
Surveyed
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
2018
Oct
2025
Oct
