Big Roche a Cri

Adams County, Wisconsin

217 acres 20 ft max depth 9 ft avg depth 4 fish species 2 boat landings Invasives present

About Big Roche a Cri

Big Roche a Cri earns its reputation as one of Adams County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 217 acres and up to 20 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Rusty Crayfish, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.

Bottom composition: 75% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck

Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE

Lake Location

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44.05820° N, 89.81550° W

WBIC 1374800 · Wisconsin DNR

Fish Species

Full table →
Largemouth Bass· AbundantNorthern Pike· CommonPanfish· AbundantWalleye

Fishing Tips

  • ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
  • ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
  • ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
  • ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
  • ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
  • ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
  • ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.

Local's Guide

Fishing

Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.

View fishing regulations ↓

Swimming

Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.

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Nearby Dining

Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Big Roche a Cri? Local dining recommendations coming soon.

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Insider Tips

Local knowledge about Big Roche a Cri — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.

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Lake Conditions

Water Clarity

No data

Trophic Status

No data

Invasive Weeds

Present

Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Rusty Crayfish, Zebra Mussel

Seasonal Notes

Coming soon

Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows

Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.

Invasive Species Present

Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Big Roche a Cri. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.

Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Big Roche a Cri?

Big Roche a Cri is home to Largemouth Bass (Abundant), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Abundant), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.

Is there a public boat launch on Big Roche a Cri?

Yes — Big Roche a Cri has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.

How big is Big Roche a Cri?

Big Roche a Cri has 217 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 20 feet, a mean depth of 9 feet.

What is the bottom of Big Roche a Cri like?

The lake bottom is composed of 75% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.

Are there invasive species in Big Roche a Cri?

Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Big Roche a Cri. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Where is Big Roche a Cri located?

Big Roche a Cri is located in Adams County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.0582° N, 89.8155° W.

Are there vacation rentals on Big Roche a Cri?

Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Adams County lakes. Check our Big Roche a Cri vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Adams County lake rentals.

Fishing Regulations

Current season regulations for Big Roche a Cri

SpeciesSeasonMin. LengthDaily Bag
BullheadsOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
CatfishOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
Cisco And WhitefishOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
Lake SturgeonClosedNo fishing allowed.
Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth BassMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5.
Muskellunge And HybridsMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open waterThe minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1.
Northern PikeMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2.
PaddlefishClosedNo fishing allowed.
PanfishOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
Rock, Yellow, And White BassOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
Rough FishOpen All YearNo minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
Round GobyOpen All YearThe daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
RuffeOpen All YearThe daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Shovelnose SturgeonClosedNo fishing allowed.
TroutSee specific regulationshttps://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ .
Walleye, Sauger, And HybridsMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3.
White PerchOpen All YearThe daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.

Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.

Lake Details

WBIC
1374800
County
Adams County
Surface Area
217 acres
Max Depth
20 ft
Mean Depth
9 ft
Bottom
75% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 25% muck
Lake Type
flowage
Coordinates
44.0582, -89.8155
Full Facts & Figures

Boat Rentals Nearby

Pontoon

Listing soon

Fishing Boat + Motor

Listing soon

Kayak / Canoe

Listing soon

Know a local boat rental operator near Big Roche a Cri? Let us know.

Boat Landings (2)

Boat Landing 1

Public

Boat Landing 2

Public

Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.