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Wisconsin›Best lakes›Panfish›Oconto County

WI · ranked by public data

Best Panfish Lakes by DNR Survey System and Lake-Scale Opportunity in Oconto County, Wisconsin

30 Oconto County lakes have a DNR panfish status record; 25 lakes with status, survey, or report evidence met our criteria (5 excluded for no verified public access), out of 198 documented lakes in the county. Updated July 2026.

  1. Ranked within late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Bluegill — ranks restart at 1

    195.0system score
    433 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Chute Pond

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.13, -88.46433 acres | 19 ft max4 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    95.0 within-system score · 91,363 lake-scale opportunity index · 211 fish/mile · 2024 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 95.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 91,363 (211 fish/mile × 433 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 211 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2024
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Late-spring electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Present (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black crappie)
  2. 252.5system score
    230 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Boot Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.27, -88.64230 acres | 38 ft max1 public access pointPanfish, Northern Pike

    52.5 within-system score · 6,670 lake-scale opportunity index · 29 fish/mile · 2024 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 52.5/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 6,670 (29 fish/mile × 230 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 29 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2024
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Late-spring electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Abundant (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Bluegill)
  3. 30.0system score
    105 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Paya Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.28, -88.48105 acres | 40 ft max1 public access pointPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    0.0 within-system score · 735 lake-scale opportunity index · 7 fish/mile · 2023 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 0.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 735 (7 fish/mile × 105 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 7 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2023
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: SE2 electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black crappie)
  4. Ranked within spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Bluegill — ranks restart at 1

    185.0system score
    238 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Leigh Flowage

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.05, -88.23238 acres | 52 ft max2 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    85.0 within-system score · 7,378 lake-scale opportunity index · 31 fish/mile · 2015 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 85.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 7,378 (31 fish/mile × 238 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 31 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2015
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2015 comprehensive spring fyke-net and electrofishing survey
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  5. 262.5system score
    99 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Rost Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.06, -88.1499 acres | 29 ft max1 public access pointPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    62.5 within-system score · 3,069 lake-scale opportunity index · 31 fish/mile · 2016 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 62.5/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 3,069 (31 fish/mile × 99 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 31 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2016
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2016 spring fyke netting and electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Present (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  6. 310.0system score
    370 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Boulder Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.15, -88.64370 acres | 11 ft max2 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    10.0 within-system score · 1,850 lake-scale opportunity index · 5 fish/mile · 2021 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 10.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 1,850 (5 fish/mile × 370 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 5 fish/mile
    • Survey recency (10%): 2021
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2021 spring electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  7. Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Black Crappie — ranks restart at 1

    185.0system score
    238 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Leigh Flowage

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.05, -88.23238 acres | 52 ft max2 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    85.0 within-system score · 666.4 lake-scale opportunity index · 2.8 fish/net-night · 2015 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 85.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 666.4 (2.8 fish/net-night × 238 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 2.8 fish/net-night
    • Survey recency (10%): 2015
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2015 comprehensive spring fyke-net and electrofishing survey
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  8. 237.5system score
    370 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Boulder Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.15, -88.64370 acres | 11 ft max2 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    37.5 within-system score · 148 lake-scale opportunity index · 0.4 fish/net night · 2021 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 37.5/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 148 (0.4 fish/net night × 370 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 0.4 fish/net night
    • Survey recency (10%): 2021
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2021 spring fyke netting
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  9. 320.0system score
    99 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Rost Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.06, -88.1499 acres | 29 ft max1 public access pointPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    20.0 within-system score · 69.3 lake-scale opportunity index · 0.7 fish/net-night · 2016 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 20.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 69.3 (0.7 fish/net-night × 99 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 0.7 fish/net-night
    • Survey recency (10%): 2016
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2016 spring fyke netting and electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Present (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
  10. Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Bluegill — ranks restart at 1

    185.0system score
    238 acres

    Oconto County, WI

    Leigh Flowage

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.05, -88.23238 acres | 52 ft max2 public access pointsPanfish, Largemouth Bass

    85.0 within-system score · 4,450.6 lake-scale opportunity index · 18.7 fish/net-night · 2015 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 85.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 4,450.6 (18.7 fish/net-night × 238 acres; not a fish count)
    • Survey rate (30%): 18.7 fish/net-night
    • Survey recency (10%): 2015
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2015 comprehensive spring fyke-net and electrofishing survey
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Panfish)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Black Crappie)
RankLakeCountyAcresSystem scorePrimary score signalSurvey measurementMetric yearFishing reportDNR statusPanfish stocking
2Boulder LakeOconto37052.5index 1,9615.3 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
3Rost LakeOconto995.0index 277.22.8 fish/net-night2016No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Yellow Perch — ranks restart at 1
1Boulder LakeOconto37070.0index 1850.5 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
2Boot LakeOconto23062.5index 1840.8 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalAbundant (Panfish)—
3Kelly LakeOconto36710.0index 146.80.4 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Ranked within spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Yellow Perch — ranks restart at 1
1Boulder LakeOconto37095.0index 4,44012 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
2White LakeOconto500.0index 55011 fish/mile2016No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Ranked within summer fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Bluegill — ranks restart at 1
1Boot LakeOconto23065.0index 6442.8 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalAbundant (Panfish)—
2Paya LakeOconto10530.0index 4204 fish/net-night2023No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
Comparable early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Black Crappie — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Kelly LakeOconto367——3.2 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Comparable early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Bluegill — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Kelly LakeOconto367——29.4 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Comparable late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Black Crappie — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Chute PondOconto433——4 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Comparable late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Pumpkinseed — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Chute PondOconto433——48 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Comparable spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) · Black Crappie — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Rost LakeOconto99——11 fish/mile2016No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
Comparable spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) · Pumpkinseed — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Boulder LakeOconto370——0 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
Documented species evidence — unranked and alphabetical
—Anderson LakeOconto177————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Archibald LakeOconto392————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Bass LakeOconto145————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—Berry LakeOconto209————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Chain LakeOconto76————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—Crooked LakeOconto162————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Horn LakeOconto131————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—Maiden LakeOconto269————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Munger LakeOconto89————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Pickerel LakeOconto176————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Ranch LakeOconto52————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Surprise LakeOconto66————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—Townsend FlowageOconto445————No · 0% signalAbundant (Panfish)—
—Waubee LakeOconto116————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—Waupee FlowageOconto104————No · 0% signalPresent (Panfish)—
—Wheeler LakeOconto281————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—
—White Potato LakeOconto1,023————No · 0% signalCommon (Panfish)—

Methodology

How this list is built

County ranks use the same statewide exact-family contract; systems with at least two eligible county peers restart at #1. The score is 55% survey rate × acreage, 30% survey rate, and 10% recency, plus 5% for a current species report. Catch-per-effort × acreage is only an opportunity index, never a literal fish count. Documented acreage plus verified public or shore access are eligibility gates. Unsupported methods stay documented but unranked. See the complete definitions on the statewide panfish ranking.

FAQ

Oconto County panfish fishing FAQ

Which panfish lakes receive a numeric county rank?

8 lakes receive at least one peer-backed, exact-lake numeric rank. Catch-per-effort systems separate species, phase, gear, unit, and sampled population; standardized adult-density estimates form their own system, so systems with at least two eligible county peers can each have a #1 in Oconto County.

How many Oconto County lakes have panfish?

30 Oconto County lakes have a DNR panfish status record. Numeric rank still requires an exact comparable family plus the acreage and access gates.

Best panfish lakes statewideBest musky in Oconto CountyBest walleye in Oconto CountyBest smallmouth bass in Oconto CountyBest largemouth bass in Oconto CountyBest northern pike in Oconto CountyAll Oconto County lakes

Source data: Wisconsin DNR lake, stocking, and fisheries records as aggregated by LakeList. Rankings are LakeList's computed opinion from public agency data, not a DNR endorsement. Conditions and regulations change — verify access and rules before you go.