Fishing Regulations · 2026 season
Fireside Lakes Fishing Regulations
Fireside Lakes follows Wisconsin statewide fishing regulations — no lake-specific special rules in DNR records.
The LakeGrade rubric puts Fireside Lakes at a C: clarity at 3.7 ft, 25 µg/L of phosphorus, and a TSI of 54 signal an intermediate trophic state. The lake's weakest score is on Secchi depth — the water looks more turbid than its phosphorus number alone would predict.
At a TSI of 54, Fireside Lakes reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. At 211 acres, Fireside Lakes fits the Wisconsin median for monitored lakes, with partial shoreline records. Fireside Lakes sits at rank 7 of 12 in Rusk County, in the lower half of the local distribution.
Full water-quality breakdown: Fireside Lakes water-quality report.
Wisconsin Statewide Regulations
These apply to Fireside Lakes (no lake-specific overrides found).
- Walleye · Sauger
Northern WI zone: 5 fish daily, 15-inch minimum. Southern zone: 5 fish daily, no minimum but 18–20" protected slot on some waters. Many lakes have lake-specific bag limits below 5.
- Northern Pike
Statewide bag limit: 5 daily, no minimum length on most waters. Some lakes have 26" minimum or protected slots.
- Muskellunge
Statewide minimum 40 inches, daily limit 1 (some Class A musky waters: 50" minimum). Possession requires WI musky stamp.
- Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass
Statewide bag limit: 5 daily, 14-inch minimum on most waters. Northern zone smallmouth: special early catch-and-release season. Many border waters have reciprocal MN rules.
- Lake Sturgeon
Highly regulated; harvest by special permit only on select waters. Most lakes catch-and-release.
- Sunfish · Bluegill · Crappie · Yellow Perch
Most WI inland waters: 25 panfish daily aggregate. Some "Quality" panfish lakes have stricter 10–15 limits.
Always Verify with the Official Source
Fishing regulations change annually. Before you fish Fireside Lakes, check the official Wisconsin DNRfor the most current rules — including border-water exceptions, emergency closures, and 2026 season dates.
Official WI DNR Regulations →Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special fishing regulations on Fireside Lakes?
Fireside Lakes appears to follow Wisconsin statewide fishing regulations — DNR records do not show lake-specific special rules. Always confirm with current DNR regulations before fishing, since rules can change annually.
What is the walleye limit on Fireside Lakes?
Statewide WI inland walleye limit: typically 5 fish, 15-inch minimum in northern zone. Fireside Lakes appears to follow statewide rules; check WI DNR for any lake-specific bag limit.
When does the Wisconsin fishing season open at Fireside Lakes?
Wisconsin's general inland fishing opener falls on the first Saturday in May. Some species and waters have continuous open seasons (panfish, largemouth bass on many lakes, year-round catch-and-release on others).
Do I need a fishing license at Fireside Lakes?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a current Wisconsin fishing license to fish Fireside Lakes. Some species require additional stamps (trout, salmon, musky in WI). Buy online at the WI DNR website or at any authorized retailer.
Related
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR Inland Fishing Regulations, 2026 season. Last updated: 2026-07-06. This site is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm rules with the official DNR before fishing.