Holcombe Flowage Fishing
A 2,881-acre Wisconsin flowage in Chippewa County and Rusk County, down to 62 feet.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Wissota: Wikideas1, CC0 1.0
About Holcombe Flowage
Count on 2,881 acres of flowage water at Holcombe Flowage, which sits in Chippewa County and Rusk County. Its deepest sounding is 62 feet, with a mean of 12 feet. The closest town on the Census list is Holcombe, roughly 4 miles off. WDNR places it in its Northern Region. WDNR calls it a complex riverine lake by class.
The musky designation reads natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2). Walleye recruitment is natural reproduction only on the WDNR layer. The ceded territory boundary takes it in. Anglers can look for walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, panfish and smallmouth bass, per the WDNR. 8 public boat landings serve the lake. Landsat estimates give about 4.8 feet of clarity (2017).
For the musky herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Species and abundance at Holcombe Flowage
The Holcombe Flowage fish groups below carry their WDNR abundance rating.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Sturgeon | Common |
| Catfish | Present |
WDNR walleye status for Holcombe Flowage is natural reproduction only. Musky management at Holcombe Flowage: natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
What the lake class means for Holcombe Flowage
“Complex riverine lakes often support great fisheries for riverine species like smallmouth bass, and in some systems, walleye.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Public ramps at Holcombe Flowage
- Holcombe Flowage Access near Sheldon (WDNR 1018)2 lanes, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Eau Claire Office
- Pine Point County Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Facilities & Parks
- Holcombe Flowage Access near Cornell (WDNR 2916)1 lane, boarding dock, Town of Birch Creek
- Holcombe Flowage Access near Cornell (WDNR 2917)1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Lake Holcombe
- Holcombe Flowage Access near Sheldon (WDNR 1019)1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Town of Willard
- Holcombe Flowage Access on Chippewa River near Cornell (WDNR 1016)1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, restroom, Xcel Energy
- Holcombe Flowage Access on Chippewa River near Cornell (WDNR 1013)carry-in, Town of Birch Creek
- Holcombe Flowage Carry-in Accesscarry-in, Xcel Energy
Casting from land at Holcombe Flowage
- Lake Holcombe Town Park Fishing Pierdeveloped shore fishing site
More boat ramps around Holcombe Flowage
- Holcombe Flowage Access on Chippewa River near Cornell (WDNR 1012)Chippewa River, 3 miles west
- Holcombe Flowage Access on Chippewa River near Cornell (WDNR 1015)Chippewa River, 4 miles southwest
- Chippewa River Carry-in AccessChippewa River, 4 miles northwest
- County Hwy E Boat RampFlambeau River, 7 miles northwest
- Brunet Island State Park Boat RampCornell Flowage, 7 miles southwest
- Firth Lake AccessFirth Lake, 7 miles southwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
The water in Holcombe Flowage
The WDNR describes the bottom of Holcombe Flowage as 80% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck.
In WDNR terms Holcombe Flowage is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Confirmed invasive species at Holcombe Flowage include banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, hybrid eurasian / northern water-milfoil, purple loosestrife and rusty crayfish. Inspect trailers before moving to another lake.
Boaters on Holcombe Flowage follow ordinances on waterway markers, buoy placement, slow-no-wake areas, swimming area, swimming regulations.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
WDNR rules posted for Holcombe Flowage
This table repeats the WDNR rule set filed under Holcombe Flowage.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 13", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 16" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" 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. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. East of Hwy 27 is in the Northern Bass Zone. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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. |
A blanket rule for Holcombe Flowage: 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.
The guide adds for Chippewa County: Chippewa County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded ter- ritory information). A portion of Chippewa County is in the Northern Bass Zone (see base regulations on page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
By map position Holcombe Flowage sits north of the Hwy 10 pike line and in the Northern or Southern Bass Zone (the county is split; see the guide map).
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
What the DNR has stocked in Holcombe Flowage
The WDNR stocking summary shows 3 releases in Holcombe Flowage from 2023 to 2025, 3,814 fish in all.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11 in | 555 |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 13.5 in | 2,424 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11 in | 835 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Measuring Holcombe Flowage against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holcombe Flowage | 2,881 | 62 | 8 | complex riverine | |
| Wesley Lake | 2 miles west | 30 | 10 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Firth Lake | 8 miles southwest | 47 | 22 | 1 | simple cool dark |
| Worden Lake | 8 miles west | 20 | 14 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Cornell Flowage | 8 miles southwest | 897 | 55.7 | 2 | complex riverine |
| Boot Lake, Rusk County | 9 miles northwest | 88 | 44 | 1 | simple warm clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Next to Holcombe Flowage
Nearby lakes to try after Holcombe Flowage
- Wesley Lake2 miles west
- Firth Lake8 miles southwest
- Worden Lake8 miles west
- Cornell Flowage8 miles southwest
- Boot Lake, Rusk County9 miles northwest
Bait counters near Holcombe Flowage
- Mark's Marine. LLCmarina, Holcombe, under a mile
- Rocque Ridge Guide and Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Holcombe, 1 mile
- Lake Holcombe Marinamarina, Holcombe, 4 miles
- Walmart Ladysmithfarm and general store with fishing gear, Ladysmith, 12 miles
- Bait On 40bait and tackle shop, New Auburn, 13 miles
- Otter Lake Bait And Camp Storebait and tackle shop, Stanley, 16 miles
Overnight towns handy to Holcombe Flowage
- Holcombe4 miles
- Sheldon7 miles
- Conrath8 miles
Which counties Holcombe Flowage touches
- Chippewa Countyseat: Chippewa Falls
- Rusk Countyseat: Ladysmith
Reels and a scale grip to bring to Holcombe Flowage
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs from waters near Holcombe Flowage
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: TheFugeni, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Holcombe Flowage, answered in a line or two
What part of Wisconsin holds Holcombe Flowage?
You will find it in Chippewa County and Rusk County, WDNR Northern Region, about 4 miles from Holcombe.
What size is Holcombe Flowage on the WDNR record?
2,881 acres and 62 feet at the deepest.
Where is the ramp on Holcombe Flowage?
8 mapped landings, including Holcombe Flowage Access near Sheldon (WDNR 1018).
Which fish live in Holcombe Flowage?
The DNR list shows walleye (abundant), largemouth bass (common), muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), panfish (common), smallmouth bass (common) and sturgeon (common).
What daily bag limits does the WDNR post for Holcombe Flowage?
WDNR lists Walleye, sauger and hybrids as The minimum length is 13", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 16" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
Do I need a Wisconsin license for Holcombe Flowage?
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 kind of lake is Holcombe Flowage?
Satellite clarity about 4.8 feet (2017). Bottom: 80% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 10% muck. WDNR class: complex riverine. Type: drainage.
Who sells bait near Holcombe Flowage?
Mark's Marine. LLC, under a mile away.
How many fish were stocked in Holcombe Flowage?
Most recently 2025, with 555 muskellunge.
Mark Holcombe Flowage on the Wisconsin calendar
Licenses, stamps and statewide rules are on the license page.