Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Ryckman Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 21 to 69 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 59 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Ryckman Lake

Spring walleye on Ryckman Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 31 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Ryckman Lake

Spring yellow perch on Ryckman Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Ryckman Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Ryckman Lake

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. They move out to 5 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 17 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

Pumpkinseed fishing at Ryckman Lake

Start shallow in spring: pumpkinseed sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 18 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring pumpkinseed. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) covers the summer program.

How deep is Ryckman Lake?

Ryckman Lake is about 69 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Ryckman Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed on Ryckman Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Ryckman Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 59 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Ryckman Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.