Today on Petenwell
· Tomorrow & the week: Lake Report or Premium →Best fishing times
All fishTimes by species available in Premium
Wind & weather
National Weather ServiceWhat Petenwell is best for
DNR data
WalleyeCommon7.5
BluegillPanfish, common6.9
PerchPanfish, common6.9
CrappiePanfish, common6.9
MuskyPresent · stocked5.4
LargemouthPresent4.4
SmallmouthPresent4.4
Northern pikePresent4.4How we rate
Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.
Depth map
Wisconsin DNRThe DNR drew Petenwell on 2 sheets.
Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move.
Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.
Rules on this lake
DNR · checked 2026-10-07| Walleye | 15" min · keep none 20–28" · 1 over 28" · 3 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Musky | 50" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | Open |
| Northern pike | 32" min · 1 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Bass | 14" min · 5 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Panfish | No size limit · 25 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Sturgeon | No fishing | Closed |
| Catfish | No size limit · 10 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
Launches & access
15 public- 20th Drive AccessDirections
- Access off Blackhawk Dr.Directions
- Access off County Hwy ZDirections
- Access off County Hwy ZDirections
- Access - Devil's ElbowDirections
- Access near Brown Deer DrDirections
- Petenwell Park Access off Bighorn Dr. (Adams Co)Directions
- Pentenwell Lake -- AccessDirections
- Access off Badger CourtDirections
- Chicago Ave Boat LandingDirections
- Wilderness Park AccessDirections
- 20th Drive Access - Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO)Directions
- Fourteen Mile Creek AccessDirections
- Access off Apache LnDirections
- Wisconsin River -- Barnum BayDirections
Stocking
DNR records| 2024 | 1,208 muskellunge large fingerling, 13.2" |
| 2023 | 578 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.2" |
| 2022 | 415 muskellunge large fingerling, 11" 354 lake sturgeon yearling, 15.08" |
| 2021 | 2,347 muskellunge large fingerling, 12.1" |
| 2020 | 728 muskellunge large fingerling, 11" 1,299 lake sturgeon yearling, 13.65" |
The DNR has 58 fish surveys on file for this lake.
Before you go
DNRThis is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.
Eat any amount Bullheads, Inland Trout
Up to 1 meal a week All Other Species And Sizes, Pike
Up to 1 meal a month Bluegill, Channel Catfish (Less Than 20"), Muskies, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch
Do not eat Carp, Channel Catfish (Larger Than 20"), Crappies, White Bass
Advice for this water. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR detailsEurasian Water-Milfoil · Zebra Mussel
Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.Petenwell board
Catches & reportsLakes near Petenwell
Within 25 miles| Lake | Miles | Acres | Max depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowhead Lake (Manchester)Adams | 7.9 | 350 | 30 ft |
| Arkdale Lake (Millpond)Adams | 8.4 | 55 | 6 ft |
| Big Roche A Cri LakeAdams | 9.1 | 205 | 20 ft |
| Sherwood Lake (Deer Lodge)Adams | 9.6 | 246 | 27 ft |
| Sprague-Mather FlowageJuneau | 9.8 | 1,930 | 9 ft |
| Camelot LakeAdams | 11 | 445 | 24 ft |
| Rynearson Flowage No. 1Juneau | 11.1 | 570 | 14 ft |
| Goose PoolJuneau | 11.5 | 74 | – |
Petenwell questions
How deep is Petenwell Lake?
Petenwell Lake is 44 feet at its deepest. It covers 23,173 acres.
What fish are in Petenwell Lake?
The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (common), walleye (common), musky (present), largemouth bass (present), smallmouth bass (present), northern pike (present), sturgeon (present) and catfish (present).
Where is the boat launch on Petenwell Lake?
There are 15 public launches: 20th Drive Access, Access off Blackhawk Dr., Access off County Hwy Z, Access off County Hwy Z, Access - Devil's Elbow, Access near Brown Deer Dr, Petenwell Park Access off Bighorn Dr. (Adams Co), Pentenwell Lake -- Access, Access off Badger Court, Chicago Ave Boat Landing, Wilderness Park Access, 20th Drive Access - Wisconsin River Power Company (WRPCO), Fourteen Mile Creek Access, Access off Apache Ln and Wisconsin River -- Barnum Bay.
Do I need a trout stamp to fish Petenwell Lake?
A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.
What is the walleye limit on Petenwell Lake?
15" min · keep none 20–28" · 1 over 28" · 3 a day. Season: Open All Year.
Is Petenwell Lake stocked?
Yes. In 2024 the DNR and partners stocked 1,208 muskellunge (large fingerling).
Fish it longer
Today's sheet is always free. Planning ahead takes a report or Premium.Lake Sheet
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Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-07.