Fishing That's Getting Better Every Year

For anglers, Little Falls Lake is now genuinely exciting. After the dam was rebuilt and the lake refilled between 2019 and 2020, the DNR stocked largemouth bass, bluegill, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch in successive years. By the 2025 survey, bluegill abundance had leapt from 58 fish per mile to 246, and maximum bluegill length ranked in the 95th percentile among comparable Wisconsin lakes. Smallmouth bass also surged, with mean lengths hitting the 100th percentile for their lake class.↗

Largemouth bass remain the most common gamefish, with catch rates in the 50th percentile and good size structure (fish up to 17 inches). Northern pike are present but currently scarce, and black crappie are still establishing. The overall verdict from fisheries biologists: the lake is best managed for bass and panfish right now, and it delivers a solid fishery for its size.↗↗

On the Water and Along the Shore

The lake offers a non-motorized boat ramp at the state park, making it ideal for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Several disabled-accessible fishing platforms provide waterfront access without requiring a boat. There is a public beach for swimming on warmer days. The mostly undeveloped shoreline means paddlers can explore quiet coves, brush piles planted during the refill, and boulder clusters installed as fish habitat — structures that also create interesting underwater scenery just beneath the surface.↗↗↗

Pair Your Visit with Willow River State Park

Little Falls Lake is best experienced as part of a day or weekend at Willow River State Park. The park's trail network includes over 26 miles of mountain bike routes, plus hiking trails that pass through prairie and forest toward the waterfall. In winter, the park transforms with cross-country skiing, and the falls themselves freeze into a sparkling ice formation. The nature center adds an educational dimension for families.↗↗↗

Camping on the lake's south shore means you can start your day with sunrise fishing from a kayak or an evening stroll down to the gorge overlook. The park is consistently among the highest-occupancy state campgrounds in Wisconsin, so booking ahead in summer is wise.↗↗

Practical Tips for Visiting

The park office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During shoulder seasons and winter, the general inland fishing season for bass opens on the first Saturday in May; panfish can be targeted year-round with a 10-fish daily bag limit. Check current conditions on the Wisconsin DNR's Willow River State Park page before visiting, as trail and water levels can shift seasonally.↗↗

The lake is located in St. Croix County, about 5 miles northeast of downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, and roughly 45 minutes from the Twin Cities metro. The address for Willow River State Park is 1034 County Road A, Hudson, WI 54016. Non-motorized boats only at the state park ramp, so leave the pontoon or motorboat at home — this restriction keeps the lake peaceful.↗↗