Crystal Lake, Dane County Fishing
A 525-acre Wisconsin lake in Dane County and Columbia County, down to 9 feet.
Pick for panfishPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting acquainted with Crystal Lake, Dane County
The WDNR lists Crystal Lake, Dane County at 525 acres, a lake in Dane County and Columbia County. Depths reach 9 feet at the deepest spot. In a straight line, about 4 miles separates the lake from Lodi. Fisheries work here comes out of the South Central Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads simple warm dark.
Fish on its WDNR list include panfish and largemouth bass. The WDNR access layer maps 1 public boat landing. WDNR satellite clarity is 1.7 feet for 2017.
For the panfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 How abundant the fish are in Crystal Lake, Dane County
The DNR sorts the Crystal Lake, Dane County fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
The WDNR class note for Crystal Lake, Dane County
“Simple warm dark lakes can provide great opportunities for action for black crappie, and often also support bluegill and largemouth bass. They rarely have any walleye or muskellunge.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Landings around Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Crystal Lake Public Access1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Property Manager
Public landings near Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Lussier County Park Boat LaunchFish Lake, 1 mile west
- Lake Wisconsin Boat Access – Sunset Bay LandingLake Wisconsin, 4 miles north
- West Point Public Boat Landing on Lake Wisconsin near Merrimac (WDNR 431)Lake Wisconsin, 5 miles north
- West Point Public Boat Landing on Lake Wisconsin near Merrimac (WDNR 399)Lake Wisconsin, 5 miles north
- Lake Wisconsin Boat Access – Okee AccessLake Wisconsin, 5 miles northeast
- Sauk City Municipal LaunchWisconsin River, 5 miles west
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Crystal Lake, Dane County
Under the water, Crystal Lake, Dane County is 25% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 70% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Crystal Lake, Dane County is a seepage lake (no inlet or outlet stream; fed by groundwater and rain).
Crystal Lake, Dane County has these invasive species on file: curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil and purple loosestrife. Rinse gear before the next lake.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Crystal Lake, Dane County
WDNR lists these Crystal Lake, Dane County seasons and bag rules species by species.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| 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. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | 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. |
| Bullheads | 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. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
The WDNR record for Crystal Lake, Dane County adds: 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.
County text for Dane: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Crystal Lake, Dane County is south of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Southern Bass Zone for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Crystal Lake, Dane County beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake, Dane County | 525 | 9 | 1 | simple warm dark | |
| Fish Lake, Dane County | 1 mile west | 199 | 62 | 1 | simple two story |
| Mud Lake near Prairie du Sac, Dane County | 2 miles west | 51 | 5 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Lake Wisconsin | 6 miles north | 7,197 | 24 | 16 | complex riverine |
| Brandenburg Lake | 7 miles south | 42 | 6 | 0 | simple harsh no fishery |
| Indian Lake, Dane County | 7 miles south | 64 | 7.5 | 1 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Crystal Lake, Dane County
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Fish Lake, Dane County1 mile west
- Mud Lake near Prairie du Sac, Dane County2 miles west
- Lake Wisconsin6 miles north
- Brandenburg Lake7 miles south
- Indian Lake, Dane County7 miles south
Tackle shops a short drive from Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Wilderness Fish & Gamebait and tackle shop, Sauk City, 5 miles
- Burhop's Lakeside Lodgebait and tackle shop, Lodi, 5 miles
- Bridge Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Lodi, 5 miles
- Musky Fool Fly Fishing Cofly shop, Waunakee, 11 miles
- Farm & Fleet Of Baraboofarm and general store with fishing gear, Baraboo, 14 miles
- Walmart West Baraboofarm and general store with fishing gear, West Baraboo, 14 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Lodi5 miles
- Lake Wisconsin5 miles
- Sauk City6 miles
County pages for Crystal Lake, Dane County
- Dane Countyseat: Madison
- Columbia Countyseat: Portage
Gear from Piscifun for Crystal Lake, Dane County
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Shoreline scenes a drive from Crystal Lake, Dane County
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick facts people look up on Crystal Lake, Dane County
How far is Crystal Lake, Dane County from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Dane County and Columbia County, WDNR South Central Region, about 4 miles from Lodi.
How big is Crystal Lake, Dane County by the WDNR count?
About 525 acres and 9 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Try Crystal Lake Public Access, one of 1 mapped landing.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Find a Lake names panfish (common) and largemouth bass (present).
What can I keep from Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3.
Is a stamp needed on Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What lake class is Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Satellite clarity about 1.7 feet (2017). Bottom: 25% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 70% muck. WDNR class: simple warm dark. Type: seepage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Crystal Lake, Dane County?
Closest on our list: Wilderness Fish & Game, 5 miles.
Does Crystal Lake, Dane County have zebra mussels?
The DNR records curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil and purple loosestrife.
Put Crystal Lake, Dane County on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.