Fishing

Fishing on Lake Helen

Lake Helen Fishery

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational uses on Lake Helen. Maintaining a good fishery is important so that anglers can catch fish now and for many generations. Fish communities need to be protected and improved by maintaining and improving the quality of in-lake and shore-land habitat, aquatic plant communities, and good water quality.

Those fishing on Lake Helen are encouraged to CATCH & RELEASE so that the fish that have been stocked will have time to grow and multiply.

Exception: You are encouraged to keep Northern Pike

Starting in 2022, there is NO MINIMUM LENGTH limit on the size of Northern Pike in Lake Helen.
You may keep UP TO FIVE PER DAY.
You are encouraged to keep them, in order save the smaller fish.

Starting in 2026, the DAILY panfish limit will be reduced from 25 to 10. (this regulation was delayed from going into effect in 2023 by the DNR)

Fishing Regulations and DNR Information

NEW REGULATION STARTING IN 2022
Northern Pike: no minimum length limit
                         and a daily bag limit of 5
Panfish:             Daily bag limit currently at 25.
   Will reduce to 10 in 2026.

FISH STICKS: IMPROVING LAKE HABITAT

As spring sets in and you begin to venture out onto the water you will notice a few changes to our shoreline. On March 4th 2022, a group of resident volunteers worked together to install six fish stick structures along the shores of Lake Helen. This project was approved by the DNR and funded through a Portage County Healthy Lakes and Rivers grant.

What are Fish Sticks you may ask?

“Fish Sticks” projects are intended to restore woody habitat in lakes by adding trees to the near-shore area. They are large woody habitat structures that utilize whole trees grouped together that result in the placement of more than 1 tree per 50 feet of shoreline. Fish Sticks structures are anchored to the shore and are partially or fully submerged near the shoreline of a lake.
"Fish Sticks are feeding, breeding, and nesting areas for all sorts of critters – from fish to song birds. They can also prevent bank erosion – protecting lakeshore properties and your lake."

Where are the fish sticks located?

The habitat structures are spread out along the southern shoreline and located on properties where the landowner volunteered their shoreline for the project.

Can I do more to help?

For information on how you can help or if you would like to volunteer a piece of your shoreline for additional fish stick projects you can contact Keith Hoffman [email protected], or Tracy Arnold [email protected] The fishing committee is hoping to install an additional six fish stick complexes in the winter of 2022/2023 if we can find enough volunteers.

Fish Stick structure locations
Red X = the boat landing

Click here to see a photo gallery of the work that was done on March 4th 2022 to build the first Fish Stick structures

- Fish Sticks Best Practices Manual. [PDF] - Wisconsin DNR Fish Stick information page

Lake Helen Fish Stocking

Future stocking plans

The goal is to pursue restocking efforts in 2023 after we have considerably improved the fish habitat in our lake with the fish stick structures to more effectively support and maintain our fish population.

Past stocking activity

Fish were stocked in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Mark Brandenburg led the efforts with a lot of hard work and time put in with his fund raising, seeking donations and via raffles.

On September 25, 2012 the Lake Helen Protection and Rehabilitation District, after receiving a permit from the DNR, stocked Lake Helen with 1,176 Six inch Yellow Perch and 1,538 six inch Black Crappies. This stocking was subsidized by the efforts of thirteen year-old Kyle Brandenburg and his family, sending out over 250 letters requesting for donations, a 2012 summer raffle that raised over $1,000 and also by generous local donators in the Rosholt community.
While the stocking was taking place, members of the lake district helped Gollon Bait and Fish Farm of Dodgeville WI distributing the fish around the lake.

Click below to view a photo gallery of the 2012 Fish stocking and raffle.

In September 2010 the Lake Helen P&R District, after receiving a permit from the DNR, stocked the lake with 800 4-6 inch Walleye and 1200 4-6 inch Perch.
$1000 was given by the Lake District and an additional $1000 was donated by individuals and patrons of the bars around the Lake Helen area. The Fishery Committee is planning on stocking the lake again this September with Black Crappie and Yellow perch.

Lake Helen Fishing Raffle Results - Aug 23, 2015

Click on each of the photos to see an album of photos from the picnic & of the items that were donated for the fish stocking raffle.

We would like to express our thanks to all of the companies who generously donated items for our picnic and raffle. All of the proceeds will be used for the Lake Helen fish stocking project. Residents are encouraged to support those companies who help us stock our lake.

(Click here to read the thank you letter that was mailed to the donating companies and to see a list of all of the donors)

FROGG TOGG JACKETS DONATED TO Rosholt High School YOUTH

Local Rosholt High School youth were the recipients of jackets that were generously donated by Frogg Toggs. Jackets donated by Frogg Toggs were used in the fish stocking raffle. LHPRD passed on some of the donated jackets to Rosholt High School youth who love to fish on Lake Helen.

Lake Helen Fishing Raffle Results - Sep 1, 2012