Ringo Lake Fishing guide

Black Crappie numbers were moderate in 2025 (3.89 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 22.52 fish/trapnet for Ringo Lake. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was large (0.60 pounds and 9.70 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.26 pounds from trapnets. Moderate numbers (5.25 fish/gillnet) of small Black Crappie (0.21 pounds and 6.86 inches average) were captured in 2025 gillnets. The 2025 catch rate of Black Crappie 8.00 inches and larger was moderate (3.22 fish/trapnet) in Ringo. The 2025 catch rate of Black Crappie 10.00 inches and larger was fair (0.78 fish/trapnet) in Ringo. The largest Black Crappie captured was 14.53 inches in 2025.

Bluegill numbers were moderate in 2025 (4.22 fish/trapnet) for Ringo. The Bluegill historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 2.88 fish/trapnet. The 2025 Bluegill average size was large (0.29 pounds and 6.77 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.23 pounds from trapnets. The 2025 catch rate of Bluegill 8.00 inches and larger was low (0.78 fish/trapnet) in Ringo. The largest Bluegill captured was 8.98 inches in 2025.

Largemouth Bass numbers were moderate (29.25 fish/hour) in the 2025 mid-May (pre-spawn) spring night electrofishing survey. The 2025 Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (1.44 pounds and 13.04 inches) from spring electrofishing. No previous spring electrofishing surveys were conducted for Largemouth Bass in Ringo. The Largemouth Bass catch rate of 15.00 inches and larger was high (10.50 fish/hour) in 2025. The largest Largemouth Bass captured was 20.47 inches in the 2025 survey. Largemouth Bass growth rates were excellent for ages 1-8. Approximately 38.5% and 23.0% of the Largemouth Bass were from the 2023 and 2020 year classes respectively in the 2025 spring electrofishing survey.

Northern Pike numbers were high in 2025 (10.50 fish/gillnet). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 4.92 fish/gillnet for Ringo. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was moderate (2.47 pounds and 22.04 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 2.74 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 catch rate of Northern Pike 26.00 inches and larger was moderate (1.50 fish/gillnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 33.66 inches in 2025. Local Northern Pike egg take operations last occurred in 2014. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Ringo in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two Northern Pike longer than 26.00 inches; and all from 22.00 to 26.00 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one Northern Pike may be between 22.00 and 26.00 inches or two larger than 26.00 inches.

Walleye numbers were fair in 2025 (7.50 fish/gillnet) for Ringo. The Walleye historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 18.52 fish/gillnet for Ringo. The 2025 Walleye average size was moderate (1.91 pounds and 16.78 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 1.16 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of 15.00 inches and larger was fair (4.50 fish/gillnet) for Ringo. Walleye growth rates were generally good for all ages except older fish. The 2017 Walleye year class comprised 24% of the 2025 Walleye catch. Other year classes present included 2022 (20%) and 2023 (18.5%). Walleye natural reproduction in Ringo is frequent, but often variable for successful year classes produced. The largest Walleye captured was 27.83 inches in 2025.

Fall electrofishing surveys have been conducted to evaluate spring Walleye fry stockings or natural reproduction. Low numbers of YOY Walleye (7.00 YOY/hour, 7.02 inches) were captured in the 2025 fall night electrofishing survey. Low numbers of YOY Walleye were captured in the 2023 fall daytime electrofishing survey (7.20 YOY/hour, 6.22 inches). Abundant numbers of YOY Walleye (56.00 YOY/hour, 6.92 inches) were captured in a 2022 fall daytime electrofishing surveys. Daytime electrofishing is generally less effective at sampling YOY Walleye than night electrofishing. Low YOY Walleye numbers (4.00 YOY/hour, 7.74 inches) were captured in the 2021 fall night electrofishing survey. There were moderate YOY Walleye numbers captured in the 2019 fall night electrofishing survey (40.00 YOY/hour, 7.02 inches). Abundant YOY Walleye numbers were captured in 2017 (88.00 YOY/hour, 6.01 inches), 2015 (60.00 YOY/hour, 6.00 inches) and 2013 (96.67 YOY/hour, 4.92 inches) and 2011 (210.00 YOY/hour, 4.51 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. Walleye fry were recently stocked (300,000-540,000 fish) into Ringo Lake during 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022-2025. Ringo was stocked with 255,675 Walleye fry in 2025. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye occurred in 1994 (520.00 YOY/hour, 4.47 inches average length) during a fry stocked year. The highest fall electrofishing catch rate for YOY Walleye due solely to natural reproduction occurred in 1995 (129.00 fish/hour, 6.16 inches average length).

Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2025 (0.75 fish/gillnet) The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 1.65 fish/gillnet for Ringo. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.18 pounds and 7.18 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from gillnets. The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.31 inches in 2025.

Black Bullhead numbers were low in 2025 (0.25 fish/gillnet). Black Bullhead numbers were also low in the 2025 trapnets (0.78 fish/trapnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rates (1986-present) are 26.49 fish/gillnet and 53.15 fish/trapnet for Ringo. The 2025 Black Bullhead average weights were large (1.50 pounds plus) from gillnets and trapnets. The Black Bullhead historical average weights are approximately 0.60 pounds from gillnets and trapnets. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 16.14 inches in 2025.

Common Carp abundance was moderate in 2025 (1.11 fish/trapnet). The Common Carp historical average catch rate (1986-present) is 3.11 fish/trapnet for Ringo Lake. The 2025 Common Carp average size was large (7.40 pounds and 24.81 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 4.52 pounds from trapnets. The largest Common Carp captured was 33.74 inches in 2025.

Current fish management activities on Ringo include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the county with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Ringo Lake fishery will be sampled in the summer 2030 for all fish species.