Cox Hollow Lake
Iowa County, Wisconsin
About Cox Hollow Lake
Cox Hollow Lake earns its reputation as one of Iowa County's premier walleye fisheries, a intimate 81-acre lake reaching 28 feet at its deepest. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Largemouth Bass and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 64% sand, 1% gravel, 2% rock, 30% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.00880° N, 90.11050° W
WBIC 1246500 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →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.
- ·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
Cox Hollow Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 81-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Cox Hollow Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Cox Hollow Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Iowa County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Cox Hollow Lake is one of Iowa County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Cox Hollow Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
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 have been documented in Cox Hollow Lake. 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 Cox Hollow Lake?
Cox Hollow Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (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 Cox Hollow Lake?
Yes — Cox Hollow Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Cox Hollow Lake?
Cox Hollow Lake has 81 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 28 feet.
What is the bottom of Cox Hollow Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 64% sand, 1% gravel, 2% rock, 30% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Cox Hollow Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed have been documented in Cox Hollow Lake. 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 Cox Hollow Lake located?
Cox Hollow Lake is located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.0088° N, 90.1105° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Cox Hollow Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Iowa County lakes. Check our Cox Hollow Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Iowa County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Cox Hollow Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | 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. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The 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
- 1246500
- County
- Iowa County
- Surface Area
- 81 acres
- Max Depth
- 28 ft
- Bottom
- 64% sand, 1% gravel, 2% rock, 30% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 43.0088, -90.1105
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Cox Hollow Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Gov. Dodge State Park · (608) 935-2315
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.