Rock Lake, Jefferson County Fishing
A 1,365-acre Wisconsin lake in Jefferson County, down to 60 feet.
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Rock Lake, Jefferson County by the numbers
In Jefferson County, Rock Lake, Jefferson County spreads over 1,365 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 60 feet, with a mean of 16 feet. Lake Mills lies about 1 mile from the lake. It is a South Central Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex warm clear lake.
The DNR fish list names largemouth bass, panfish, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike. There are 5 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 9.2 feet.
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Each species group in Rock Lake, Jefferson County carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Northern Pike | Present |
How the DNR describes the Rock Lake, Jefferson County fishery
“Complex warm clear lakes often support great action fisheries for warmwater species like bluegill and largemouth bass.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- Rock Lake County Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Jefferson County Parks Department
- Elm Point Boat Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, town of Lake Mills
- Ferry Park Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Town of Lake Mills
- Rock Lake Carry In Access1 lane, boarding dock, public
- Sandy Beach Boat Ramp1 lane, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Parks Dept.
Fishing from the bank at Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- Glacial Drumlin Fishing Pierfishing pier, Wisconsin Dnr, end depth 0 feet
Boat landings close to Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- Rock Lake Mill Pond AccessMill Pond, under a mile east
- Marsh Creek Boat LandingMarsh Creek, 2 miles south
- Sandhill Station State Campground Boat RampMud Lake, 2 miles south
- Aztalan State Park Canoe LaunchCrawfish River, 4 miles east
- Island Lane Boat RampLake Ripley, 6 miles southwest
- Rock River County Park Boat RampRock River, 7 miles east
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Rock Lake, Jefferson County
The DNR bottom survey for Rock Lake, Jefferson County lists 30% sand, 30% gravel, 0% rock, 40% muck.
WDNR types Rock Lake, Jefferson County as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Rock Lake, Jefferson County: banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, hybrid eurasian / northern water-milfoil, rusty crayfish, spiny naiad and starry stonewort. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
Ordinances in force on Rock Lake, Jefferson County: buoy placement, right of way, seaplanes, slow-no-wake areas, slow-no-wake hours, swimming regulations, water exhibitions and races, water skiing restrictions, rafts, piers, mooring ordinance.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Rock Lake, Jefferson County
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Rock Lake, Jefferson County.
| 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. |
Every species on Rock Lake, Jefferson County also falls under this note: 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.
From the Jefferson County section of the guide: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
For pike Rock Lake, Jefferson County is south of Hwy 10, and the Southern Bass Zone sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Recent stockings at Rock Lake, Jefferson County
Stocking records for Rock Lake, Jefferson County: 1 entries, 20,946 fish, years 2023 to 2023.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | large fingerling | 6.24 in | 20,946 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lakes near Rock Lake, Jefferson County compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Lake, Jefferson County | 1,365 | 60 | 5 | complex warm clear | |
| Bean Lake, Jefferson County | 2 miles southwest | 33 | 6 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Mud Lake near Lake Mills, Jefferson County | 2 miles south | 84 | 22 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Hope Lake, Jefferson County | 5 miles southwest | 108 | 24 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Mud Lake near Deerfield, Dane County | 6 miles west | 33 | 7.5 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Lake Ripley | 6 miles southwest | 420 | 44 | 1 | complex warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Rock Lake, Jefferson County
Lakes next door to Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- Bean Lake, Jefferson County2 miles southwest
- Mud Lake near Lake Mills, Jefferson County2 miles south
- Hope Lake, Jefferson County5 miles southwest
- Mud Lake near Deerfield, Dane County6 miles west
- Lake Ripley6 miles southwest
Minnows and tackle close to Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- The Happy Hooker Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Lake Mills, under a mile
- Party Mart Liquor & Baitbait and tackle shop, Lake Mills, under a mile
- JMP Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cambridge, 7 miles
- Walmart Jeffersonfarm and general store with fishing gear, Jefferson, 9 miles
- Atlas Mike's Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Fort Atkinson, 11 miles
- Uncle Josh Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Fort Atkinson, 11 miles
Towns within reach of Rock Lake, Jefferson County
- Lake Mills1 mile
- Lake Ripley6 miles
- Cambridge7 miles
Rock Lake, Jefferson County by county
- Jefferson Countyseat: Jefferson
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Rock Lake, Jefferson County
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Know the fish of Rock Lake, Jefferson County
Photo: Hardyplants, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Rock Lake, Jefferson County: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Rock Lake, Jefferson County in?
Look in Jefferson County, WDNR South Central Region, about 1 mile from Lake Mills.
How many acres does the WDNR give Rock Lake, Jefferson County?
1,365 acres of water and 60 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Rock Lake, Jefferson County at a public landing?
5 mapped landings, led by Rock Lake County Park Boat Ramp.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Rock Lake, Jefferson County?
On file: largemouth bass (common), panfish (common), smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common) and northern pike (present).
What size limits apply on Rock Lake, Jefferson County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Rock Lake, Jefferson 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.
How clear does the water in Rock Lake, Jefferson County run?
Satellite clarity about 9.2 feet (2017). Bottom: 30% sand, 30% gravel, 0% rock, 40% muck. WDNR class: complex warm clear. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Rock Lake, Jefferson County?
The Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle is under a mile from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Rock Lake, Jefferson County?
WDNR stocked 20,946 walleye in 2023.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Rock Lake, Jefferson County
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.