Fishing Report For Lake Wissota, WI

By Rick Seaman

June 8, 2025

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Lake Wissota, WI

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Smallmouth Bass

Current Report: Poor To Fair To Good To Very Good To Excellent
Outlook: Poor To Fair To Good To Very Good To Excellent

With water temperatures in the high 40's, smallies are beginning to get active. They are migrating toward shallow water in search of spawning areas, and they are feeding heavily in preparation. Mid-range crankbaits, jerkbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits are catching fish now, but a slow presentation helps get more bites. Fishing for smallmouth is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days. After the spawn, look for these smallmouth to again feed vigorously. After the spawn, when the water warms topwater can be effective early and late in the day.

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Walleye

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Now is one of the best times for catching walleye here, as they have moved up shallow to feed and spawn. Rocky areas in the shallows, next to drop-offs into deeper water are the top areas for now. Some of the walleye are spawning now, others will spawn soon. Following the spawn they move to flats, shoals and ledges off shore in the main lake area. They will be caught primarily in 15 to 20 feet of water, especially areas dropping into the river channel. Throughout Summer, early in the morning and from dusk to long after dark are the best times to catch walleye, as they move shallow to feed for short periods of time. They primarily feed on gizzard shad and other small fish, close to the bottom. Bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are catching them in all depths. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are working if they are up shallow. Blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners work well while trolling.

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Black Crappie

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

Crappie are a favorite of many locals here and the fishing has been good again this year, including while ice fishing. Now is the prime time to be on the water as crappie are moving into shallow coves to spawn, for the next 30 days or so. Expect to find crappie moving into 3 to 6 feet of water. Docks, brush, stumps, standing timber and deep vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Once the spawn is over, and the hot Summer sun warms the shallows, crappie retreat to depths of 10 to 20 feet or deeper. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is ideal. Good reports are coming from anglers using fish finders and forward facing sonar to locate schools of crappie.

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Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, sauger, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, musky and northern pike at Lake Wissota in Wisconsin.

Lake Wissota is a 6,300-acre lake with 51 miles of shoreline. Perch, walleye, sauger, sunfish, bass, muskie, pike, catfish, crappie and sunfish all populate this great fishery. In winter, many of these species are being caught through the ice. There are several fishing piers. Areas for fishing from the bank are limited.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a Wisconsin Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

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Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".

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Contact Information

Lake Wissota
Lake Wissota State Park
18127 Co Hwy O
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
715 382-4574

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