Lake Ripley
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
About Lake Ripley
Lake Ripley earns its reputation as one of Jefferson County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 420 acres and up to 44 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, Panfish, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 85% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.00100° N, 88.99170° W
WBIC 809600 · 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.
- ·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
Lake Ripley has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 420-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Lake Ripley are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Ripley? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Jefferson County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Lake Ripley is one of Jefferson 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 Lake Ripley 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, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussel
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 and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Ripley. 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 Lake Ripley?
Lake Ripley is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Ripley?
Yes — Lake Ripley has 2 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Ripley?
Lake Ripley has 420 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 44 feet, a mean depth of 18 feet.
What is the bottom of Lake Ripley like?
The lake bottom is composed of 85% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Lake Ripley?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Ripley. 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 Lake Ripley located?
Lake Ripley is located in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.0010° N, 88.9917° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Ripley?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Jefferson County lakes. Check our Lake Ripley vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Jefferson County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Ripley
| 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 | The minimum length limit is 14" 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 25. | — |
| 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 15" 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
- 809600
- County
- Jefferson County
- Surface Area
- 420 acres
- Max Depth
- 44 ft
- Mean Depth
- 18 ft
- Bottom
- 85% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 43.0010, -88.9917
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Ripley? Let us know.
Boat Landings (2)
Town of Oakland · 608-423-9635
NA · NA
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.