The 8 Best Fishing Lakes in Wisconsin

Discover the best fishing lakes in Wisconsin with this guide. Learn about the best spots for walleye, bass, trout, and more. Get tips and advice on the best time to fish and what equipment to bring. Find out which lakes offer the best fishing experience.

Lake Mendota

Lake Mendota is located in Dane County, Wisconsin, and is the largest lake in the Yahara chain of lakes. It is 9,842 acres in size.

Types of Fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: The Edgewater, Best Western Premier Park Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, Hilton Madison
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 1.8 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Mobil, located 1.6 miles from the lake

Lake Waubesa

Lake Waubesa is located in Dane County, Wisconsin and is part of the Yahara chain of lakes. It has an area of 2,190 acres.

Types of Fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Carp
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Madison East, Best Western Premier Park Hotel, The Edgewater, Hilton Madison
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 1.4 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Mobil, located 1.8 miles from the lake

Lake Monona

Lake Monona is located in Dane County, Wisconsin and is part of the Yahara chain of lakes. It has an area of 2,417 acres.

Types of Fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: The Edgewater, Best Western Premier Park Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, Hilton Madison
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 2.2 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Mobil, located 2.2 miles from the lake

Lake Kegonsa

Lake Kegonsa is located in Dane County, Wisconsin and is part of the Yahara chain of lakes. It has an area of 4,890 acres.

Types of Fish: Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Best Western Premier Park Hotel, The Edgewater, Courtyard by Marriott Madison East, Hilton Madison
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 3.2 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Mobil, located 2.9 miles from the lake

Lake Wissota

Lake Wissota is located in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, and has a surface area of 5,572 acres.

Types of Fish: Northern Pike, Walleye, Muskellunge, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Bowfin
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Area, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lake Wissota Inn & Suites
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 12.7 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 5.3 miles from the lake

Lake Butte des Morts

Lake Butte des Morts is located in Winnebago County and has a surface area of 7,887 acres.

Types of Fish: Walleye, Northern Pike, White Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Sucker
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Neenah, Fairfield Inn & Suites Appleton North, Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 11.1 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 3.4 miles from the lake

Green Bay

Green Bay is located in Brown and Door counties, Wisconsin, and has a surface area of 181,000 acres.

Types of Fish: Walleye, Muskie, Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Whitefish, Catfish, Steelhead
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the bay
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the bay
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Hyatt Regency Green Bay, Hotel Northland, Radisson Green Bay, Comfort Suites Green Bay
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 1.3 miles from the bay
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 1.4 miles from the bay

Lake Chetac

Lake Chetac is located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, and has a surface area of 2,390 acres.

Types of Fish: Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, White Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Bass, Bowfin
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Comfort Inn & Suites Hayward, Hotel Hayward, Super 8 by Wyndham Hayward
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 5.6 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 1.3 miles from the lake

Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago is located in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and has a surface area of 137,700 acres.

Types of Fish: White Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Sucker, Bowfin
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Neenah, Fairfield Inn & Suites Appleton North, Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 11.1 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 3.4 miles from the lake

Lake Winneconne

Lake Winneconne is located in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and has a surface area of 5,151 acres.

Types of Fish: Walleye, Northern Pike, White Bass, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, White Sucker
Types of Fishing: Boating, Shore or Wading, Ice Fishing
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, at various marinas located around the lake
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshkosh, Fairfield Inn & Suites Appleton, Comfort Suites Oshkosh, Hampton Inn & Suites Oshkosh
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away it Is: Gander Outdoors, located 11.9 miles from the lake
Basic Fishing Regulations: All Wisconsin State fishing regulations apply
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, beaches, fish cleaning stations
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away it Is: Kwik Trip, located 4.5 miles from the lake

Find Good Fishing Spots in Wisconsin and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

Are you looking for a great fishing spot in Wisconsin? Then look no further! With the Google map below, you can easily explore other lakes and good fishing locations in Wisconsin. Whether you are looking for a nearby spot to relax and try your luck or a remote destination for a fishing adventure, you can find it on the map. Just zoom in and out to see all the possibilities that Wisconsin has to offer. So what are you waiting for? Get out your fishing gear and start exploring!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to Wisconsin

Wisconsin offers sport fishing opportunities throughout the year, with the weather ranging from cold and snowy during the winter months to mild and humid during the summer months. Winters can be incredibly cold, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and snowfall of up to several feet in some areas. Summers tend to be quite mild, with average temperatures ranging from the mid 70s to the mid 80s Fahrenheit. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the low 70s Fahrenheit. The state is also known for its heavy rainfall, with an average of over 30 inches of precipitation annually.