Size
1,874ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Dairyland Reservoir
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Crappie
Muskellunge
Smallmouth bass
Northern pike
Bluegill
Rock bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Channel catfish
Flathead catfish
Sturgeon
Tiger muskellunge
Overview
Dairyland 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: September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026: All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60” and season limit is 1 fish
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
- Largemouth bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
- 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: 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 15, 15 panfish may be kept, but only 5 of any one species
- 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: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
- 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
The Dairyland Reservoir is located in Rusk County is one of the best maintained flowages in the state of Wisconsin and has a lot to offer for the outdoor sportsman. The upper area of the flowage from Big Falls to the County I Bridge offers some of the finest scenic wilderness experience almost resembling that of a Canadian Forest. The Dairyland Flowage has fairly significant wildrice beds compared to other reservoirs in the state.
The flowage offers all sorts of outdoor activities from the exceptional fishery that has been produced and now has been enhanced by placing a variety of structure of the different species of fish. There is a great opportunity for muskie fisherman who are either looking to catch a nice trophy or two or just enjoy some decent action with a good number of fish in the mid-40 inch range. Aside from the quality muskie in this flowage, the Dairyland also offers superb walleye and trophy smallmouth bass.
Forage
White sucker and shorthead redhorse provide an excellent forage base for muskie and contribute to their good growth rates. Emerald shiner and trout-perch provide an excellent forage base for smallmouth bass and walleye. Smallmouth will also feed heavily on the crayfish that inhabit the Reservoir. Juvenile perch should also provide an excellent food source for all species of fish in the Reservoir.
Seasonal Movements
In the spring, walleye will be the first fish to move up into the tailwaters below the Big Falls Dam. After the walleye are done spawning, smallmouth will then move into that same area and begin their spawn. When smallmouth are done, lake sturgeon will then move in to spawn. Later in the season these species will move back down stream.
Get Your Line in the Right Water
Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.
Top Fish Species
Pumpkinseed
2-5 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
2022
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
2022
May
2022
Oct
