Petenwell Lake
Wood, Juneau, Adams County, Wisconsin
About Petenwell Lake
Petenwell Lake is a serious fishing destination in Wood, Juneau, Adams County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 23,173 acres with a maximum depth of 44 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Panfish and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 65% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 15% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.13690° N, 89.96390° W
WBIC 1377100 · 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
Petenwell Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 23,173 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Petenwell Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Petenwell Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Wood, Juneau, Adams County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Petenwell Lake is one of Wood, Juneau, Adams 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 Petenwell 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
Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Zebra Mussel
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out typically arrives in mid-April on central Wisconsin lakes. Fishing season hits its stride in mid-May and runs strong through June and again in fall. Swimming conditions are best from late June through mid-August. Fall color peaks in early-to-mid October. Ice fishing season runs late December through February in most years.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Petenwell 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 Petenwell Lake?
Petenwell Lake is home to Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), Smallmouth Bass, Sturgeon, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Petenwell Lake?
Yes — Petenwell Lake has 15 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Petenwell Lake?
Petenwell Lake has 23,173 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 44 feet.
What is the bottom of Petenwell Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 65% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 15% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Petenwell Lake?
Yes — Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Petenwell 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 Petenwell Lake located?
Petenwell Lake is located in Wood, Juneau, Adams County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.1369° N, 89.9639° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Petenwell Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Wood, Juneau, Adams County lakes. Check our Petenwell Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Wood, Juneau, Adams County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Petenwell 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 | Open All Year | 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 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 32" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| 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 | Open All Year | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 28" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 28" 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
- 1377100
- County
- Wood, Juneau, Adams County
- Surface Area
- 23,173 acres
- Max Depth
- 44 ft
- Bottom
- 65% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 15% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 44.1369, -89.9639
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Petenwell Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (15)
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Petenwell Park · 608-564-7513
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Petenwell Park · (608) 564-7513
Land, Forestry & Parks Dept. · (608) 847-9389
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Town of Monroe · 608-564-7271
Wisconsin River Power Co. · 608-565-2217
Consolidated Papers · 310-545-2828
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.