Fishing Lake Wisconsin

AKA: Wisconsin Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Wisconsin Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Popular Fish Species Lake Wisconsin, WI

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Lake Wisconsin maintains a healthy smallmouth bass fishery. Many locals enjoy smallmouth fishing, as smallies are tough fighters and very exciting to catch. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good virtually anytime they are shallow. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, spend your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

As a popular bass fishing tournament lake, Lake Wisconsin is well known to locals and anglers in the region as a good bass lake. Both weekend and tournament anglers have been catching bass in good numbers, and fish over 4 pounds are not uncommon. Fishing for largemouth bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being caught. In Lake Wisconsin, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. In winter when the lake freezes over and the ice is safe, bass can also be caught while ice fishing.

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. They are currently thriving in the cool waters of Lake Wisconsin. 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.

Lake Wisconsin Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, yellow perch, muskie, northern pike and sturgeon at Lake Wisconsin in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin River flows into Lake Wisconsin bringing fertile water, creating a healthy fishery for bass, walleye, perch, crappie, sunfish, muskie, northern pike, catfish and sturgeon. The dam at Prairie du Sac creates this 9,500-acre reservoir in the south-central part of the state, at Merrimac, WI. Whether you prefer to fish from a boat, or from the bank, there are 57 miles of shoreline to explore. Around the lake there are more than a dozen boat launch ramps, parks and public access areas.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Wisconsin

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Wisconsin Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Burhop's Lakeside Lodge
Rentals: Fishing boats and pontoon boats
608 592-4802

Lake Wisconsin Watersports
Rentals: Pontoon boats
608 493-4044

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Aleway Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, south side, off Lake Drive, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with street parking.

Anderson Novak Memorial Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, west side, off VFW Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Fingers Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Park Street, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, street parking.

O'Kee Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southeast side of the lake, off Old Sauk Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Whalen Grade Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off County Road V, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.