Rock bass in Wisconsin
rock bass under Wisconsin rules.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 2 lbs. 15 oz.record
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An overview of Wisconsin rock bass
The Sunfishes (Centrarchidae) include Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), which the Wisconsin guide counts as game fish. The guide sets None; no minimum length for general inland waters, open Open all year.
The Wisconsin hook and line record is 2 lbs. 15 oz., from Shadow Lake in 1990.
rock bass bag and season table, Wisconsin
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters | 25 of each; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters (Mississippi River) | 25 of each; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Lake Superior | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Wisconsin record rock bass
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 2 lbs. 15 oz. | Shadow Lake | Waupaca | 1990 |
| live release | 12.5 in | Silver Lake | Washington | 2024 |
| alternate method | 1 lb. 9.8 oz. | Maiden Lake | Oconto | 2015 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Waters to fish for rock bass
Lakes to try for rock bass
- Maiden Lake269 acres
- Shadow Lake, Waupaca County44 acres
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Wisconsin trips for rock bass
- Big Country ChartersGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Brussels, (720) 273-7527
- J-E Fishing EnterprisesGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-7877
- JJs Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 493-2953
- Pike Pole Fishing Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Edgerton, (608) 290-3929
- River Guide, AGreen Bay charter, Door County, Appleton, (920) 841-2118
- Tite Line FishingGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 495-7522
- Wacky Walleye Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-5731
- Weekend Warrior Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Marinette, (920) 362-1978
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- Largemouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Smallmouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- BluegillSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- PumpkinseedSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Green sunfishSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- WarmouthSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Orangespotted sunfishSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Black crappieSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- White crappieSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
What the shore looks like near Rock bass
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Before you target rock bass, the answers
What minimum length applies to Wisconsin rock bass?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
How much did the Wisconsin record rock bass weigh?
2 lbs. 15 oz. from Shadow Lake in 1990 (hook and line).
Which waters list rock bass?
2 waters here, starting with Maiden Lake and Shadow Lake, Waupaca County.
Is there stocking for rock bass?
The stocking summary has no rows for it.
Which family does rock bass belong to?
Ambloplites rupestris, Sunfishes (Centrarchidae); game fish.
Are rock bass open to fishing year round in Wisconsin?
Open all year on general inland waters.
How much is a Wisconsin license to fish rock bass?
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.
Is there a charter for rock bass?
8 guides list it, among them Big Country Charters.