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PIERCE LAKE
Lake Information
County: Winnebago
Acreage: 147
Average Depth: 12.50 feet
Shoreline Length: 4.2 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted, over 10 hp no wake speed
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
3855 |
2023 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
166 |
2023 |
Smallmouth Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
5161 |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
8569 |
2024 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
3855 |
2024 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
167 |
2024 |
Smallmouth Bass |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
6628 |
2024 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
9540 |
Additional information for stocking on Pierce Lake
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Very Good | A total of 187 Black Crappie were collected ranging in size from 6.4 – 13.5", with 187 greater than stock size (3.1"). Average length was 8.4". Body condition met the 90th percentile target goal. A good body condition could indicate sufficient forage for fish growth. Despite Black Crappie densities being high, and good body condition, very few above quality-sized Black Crappie were collected. | |
Improving | A total of 366 Bluegills were collected ranging in size from 0.8 – 7.5", with 294 greater than stock size (3.1"). Average length was 4.4". Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. Despite Bluegill densities being high, and good Bluegill body condition, very few larger Bluegill were collected . This could be due to the high fishing pressure put on the lake. It’s also possible larger fish are present but were difficult to collect due to the large amount of vegetation in the water during the survey. | |
Excellent | A total of 119 Largemouth Bass were collected ranging in size from 3.1 – 19.6", with 92 of those fish greater than stock size (7.9"). Average length was 10.5". Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. Overall, the Largemouth Bass population looks to be in good shape. | |
Excellent | A total of 43 Muskellunge were collected ranging in size from 16.1 – 41.5", with 42 of those fish greater than stock size (20.1"). The average length was 32.6". Body condition exceeded the 90th percentile. A high body condition indicates sufficient forage for fish growth. | |
Good | A total of 6 Walleye were collected ranging in size from 14.4 – 28.3", with 6 of those fish greater than stock size (9.8"). Only 6 fish were collected during the survey due to warmer-than-usual water temperatures. Another survey will be conducted in 2026 to evaluate Walleye stocking success in the lake. | |
Good | A total of 36 White Crappie were collected ranging in size from 7.8 – 14.0", with 36 greater than stock size (3.1"). Average length was 10.0". Body condition fell just below the 90th percentile. A low body condition might indicate insufficient forage for fish growth. Despite White Crappie densities being low, size quality is high. | |
Location: Pierce lake is located in Rock Cut State Park in Northeastern Winnebago County. It lies between the towns of Machesney Park and Caledonia on Rt. 173.
Description: Pierce Lake covers a former rock quarry and much of the lower end was cut through solid rock. The lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet with an average depth of 12.5 feet. The pool elevation is 826 feet, giving the lake 4.9 miles of shoreline. The watershed has 8,150 acres with a ratio of 50:1, allowing a retention time of 132 days.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Pierce Lake is an artificial impoundment made from a rock quarry. The initial 13 park acres were purchased in 1959 and at the present time the park contains 3,092 acres. The lake began impounding water on May 15, 1961. The lake is annually stocked with Muskellunge, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Smallmouth Bass.
Additional Lake Information: Site Regulations:
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only
Large or Smallmouth Bass: 1 fish daily limit; 15˝ minimum length limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit (No minimum length limit)
Pure Muskellunge: 1 fish daily limit; 48˝ minimum length limit
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye: 6 fish daily limit; 14˝ minimum length limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 fish daily limit (No minimum length limit)
Contact Information: Rock Cut State Park: 815-885-3311IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Brennan Caputo630-360-4181
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| May-08 | 28668 | Approved | Rock Cut SP - Main Ramp | boathook | 14 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | No |
| May-12 | 28669 | Approved | Rock Cut SP - Main Ramp | boathook | 14 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | No |
| May-15 | 28187 | Approved | Rock Cut SP - Main Ramp | boathook | 22 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass | Yes | Yes |
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