Things to Do at Yellowstone Lake

• Water Recreation
• Trails - Hiking, Biking and Winter
• Picnic Areas
• Hunting

Water Recreation

Boating: This 455-acre lake is shared by boats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats and other personal watercraft. There are two boat launching ramps and one canoe launch. A concession stand and boat rentals are located at the east end of the lake and are available during summer.

Swimming: Yellowsonte Lake has a designated swimming beach and a bathhouse nearby. No lifeguards are on duty.

Fishing: Yellowstone Lake has an abundant population of crappies, walleye, and other game fish. Fishing opportunities also exist for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, muskies, and northern pike.

The lake (including the Yellowstone River from the lake upstream to County Highway F) is open to fishing with the following regulations:

• Walleye, sauger, and their hybrids between 15 inches and 18 inches, channel and flathead catfish between 15 inches and 24 inches, and largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 inches and 15 inches may be kept with a daily combined bag limit of two fish in total.
• Catch and release only on northern pike, muskellunge, their hybrids, gar and bowfin.

Trails

Hiking: There are more than 13 miles of hiking trails at Yellowstone Lake. The main trail head is located at the bottom of Campground Hill Road.

Park Map and Trail Descriptions [PDF 114KB].

Off-road Biking: Yellowstone Lake State Park provides 4 miles of off-road biking trails. The park roads and trails are heavily used, so bikers should always be alert to traffic and pedestrians.

Cross-country skiing: Five miles of trail are groomed and tracked in the winter as conditions and staffing allow. A Wisconsin State Park trail pass is not required at Yellowstone Lake, but a vehicle admission sticker is needed. Vault toilets are available near the trail heads.

Snowmobiling: There are 7 miles of snowmobile trail within the park, which also connects with Lafayette County snowmobile trails. Wisconsin requires those who use snowmobile trails to display either a Wisconsin registration or a non-resident snowmobile trail pass.

In addition to the trails at the state park, Yellowstone Wildlife Area has about 30 miles of horse trails. The horse trails are open daily from May 1 to November 15.

Picnic Areas

There are nine designated picnic areas. The picnic shelter is at the west end of the lake and is available for rental. These day use and picnic areas do not have garbage or recycling bins, so please remember to practice carry in, carry out.

Pets are not allowed in the picnic, beach or playground areas. There are designated pet areas west of the beach. Please remember that pets must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet.

Hunting

Deer hunting is allowed within Yellowstone Lake State Park. A special permit (free of charge) is required. The permit is available at the park office, DNR Service Centers or online. See the current Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for complete rules and tagging instructions.

For more information ask Yellowstone Lake State Park, (608) 523-4427.