Fishing Beaver Dam Lake

AKA: Beaver Dam Reservoir

Most Popular Fish
Beaver Dam Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Beaver Dam Lake, WI

Popular Fish Species Beaver Dam Lake, WI

Walleye Fishing

A healthy population of walleye are thriving in the waters of Beaver Dam Lake this year. Thanks to good fisheries management by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources anglers have expanded access to these tasty fish. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Beaver Dam Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Beaver Dam Lake, again this year, supports a healthy population of channel catfish. In Spring channel these cats migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for catfish can produce some nice catches. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.

Beaver Dam Lake Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Thriving in the cool waters of Beaver Dam Lake, northern pike are a very popular target for local anglers. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can be a big help.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, musky and northern pike at Beaver Dam Lake in Wisconsin.

Beaver Dam Lake Fishing Video

Beaver Dam Lake, located in Dodge County, Wisconsin, is a popular fishing destination known for its diverse fishery. Anglers flock to this lake throughout the year to target a wide range of popular fish species.

One of the larger lakes in the state, Beaver Dam Lake is a 6,500-acre lake in the southeast part of the state. With multiple fish species, and over 40 miles of shoreline, anglers can pick a spot and try their luck to catch a big one, load up for a fish fry, or simply enjoy the day fishing.

One of the primary targets for anglers at Beaver Dam Lake is largemouth bass. The lake offers ample cover and structure, making it an ideal habitat for bass. Anglers can find success using a variety of techniques, including casting topwater lures, flipping jigs, or using soft plastics around weed beds and submerged structures.

Smallmouth bass are also abundant in Beaver Dam Lake. These feisty fighters are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps. Anglers often target them using techniques such as casting crankbaits, jigs, or live bait near rocky areas, points, and drop-offs.

Walleye fishing at Beaver Dam Lake is another popular pursuit. Anglers can find walleye near weed lines, rock structures, and deeper holes. Trolling with crankbaits or using live bait rigs are effective methods for targeting walleye in this lake.

Brown trout, a prized cold-water species, can be found in Beaver Dam Lake as well. Anglers targeting brown trout often focus on the deeper, cooler parts of the lake and use techniques such as trolling with spoons, spinners, or crankbaits.

Black crappie and white crappie provide excellent panfish opportunities at Beaver Dam Lake. Anglers can find them near submerged structures, brush piles, and weed beds. Crappie jigs, live minnows, or small plastic baits are commonly used to entice these panfish.

Muskie are a thrilling challenge for anglers at Beaver Dam Lake. These apex predators require patience and persistence to catch. Anglers often use large bucktail spinners, jerkbaits, or topwater lures to entice a strike.

Other fish species present in Beaver Dam Lake include yellow perch, bluegill, and northern pike. These species offer additional angling opportunities, especially for those seeking a variety of fish to target.

The most targeted species here are walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed and perch, but there are plenty of others to fish for. Bass, musky, pike, trout and other sunfish reside here in good numbers when the water conditions remain stable for long periods of time. Ice fishing is popular in winter.

Primary fish species residing in Beaver Dam Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Beaver Dam Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating and camping facilities are available at Beaver Dam Lake, allowing anglers to make the most of their fishing experience. Whether you prefer fishing from a boat or casting from the shore, Beaver Dam Lake offers a diverse fishery and a beautiful setting for anglers of all skill levels.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Derge County Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off CP Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Edgewater Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off National Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Hickory Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Hickory Bay Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Sunset Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Sunset Beach Road, at Kirsch Island, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Tahoe Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off La Crosse Street, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Waterworks Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Denning Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Woods Liquor Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off County Road F West, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Marinas

Beaver Dam Bay Marina
W9276 Co Rd G
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
920 219-9200