Big Falls Flowage
Rusk County, Wisconsin
About Big Falls Flowage
Big Falls Flowage is a serious fishing destination in Rusk County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a mid-sized lake at 281 acres and up to 45 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 60% sand, 18% gravel, 20% rock, 2% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.56970° N, 90.95220° W
WBIC 2230100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·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 Falls Flowage? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Big Falls Flowage — 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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Seasonal notes for Big Falls Flowage coming soon — ice-out timing, peak fishing windows, and fall color dates.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Big Falls Flowage. 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 Falls Flowage?
Big Falls Flowage is home to Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass (Common), Sturgeon, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Falls Flowage?
Yes — Big Falls Flowage has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Big Falls Flowage?
Big Falls Flowage has 281 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 45 feet, a mean depth of 11 feet.
What is the bottom of Big Falls Flowage like?
The lake bottom is composed of 60% sand, 18% gravel, 20% rock, 2% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Big Falls Flowage?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil have been documented in Big Falls Flowage. 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 Falls Flowage located?
Big Falls Flowage is located in Rusk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.5697° N, 90.9522° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Falls Flowage?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Rusk County lakes. Check our Big Falls Flowage vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Rusk County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big Falls Flowage
| 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 | September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60" and season limit is 1 fish. | — |
| Largemouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | June 20, 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 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). | — |
| 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 is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. 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
- 2230100
- County
- Rusk County
- Surface Area
- 281 acres
- Max Depth
- 45 ft
- Mean Depth
- 11 ft
- Bottom
- 60% sand, 18% gravel, 20% rock, 2% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 45.5697, -90.9522
Nearby Trails
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Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.