Bass Fishing In Wisconsin

Guide to fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

By Rick Seaman

Bass fishing basics video.

Wisconsin Bass Fishing

Bass fishing in Wisconsin is a beloved pursuit, cherished by anglers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Few experiences rival the thrill of hooking into a largemouth or smallmouth bass, making it a timeless pastime that transcends cultural boundaries. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice angler eager to learn the ropes, mastering the art of bass fishing can be immensely rewarding. That's why this page is dedicated to offering invaluable insights and tips on bass fishing, providing a comprehensive guide on everything from bass fishing techniques to essential bass-catching strategies. Whether you're seeking advice on selecting the perfect lure or honing your casting skills, we're here to equip you with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel on the water. Dive into our wealth of information to discover the secrets of successful bass fishing and unlock the full potential of your angling endeavors.

Bass Fishing In The State

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Smallmouth Bass Fishing In Wisconsin

While smallmouth bass don't grow as large as their cousin the largemouth, they make up the difference with tenacious fights. Known for long battles and spectacular jumps, smallies grow fat and strong but rarely exceed ten pounds. Their range and locations are often with or nearby the largemouths. The state record smallmouth bass is over 9 pounds.

Wisconsin is renowned for its exceptional smallmouth bass fishing. The state boasts several world-class smallmouth bass fisheries, including the renowned Door County waters, the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River. Smallmouth bass prefer rocky areas, submerged boulders, and drop-offs. Anglers can target them using a range of lures such as jerkbaits, tubes, grubs, and spinnerbaits. The summer months are particularly productive for smallmouth bass fishing in Wisconsin.

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Largemouth Bass Fishing In Wisconsin

Largemouth bass are the most abundant, and most pursued bass in Wisconsin. They are available in most warm-water lakes in the state, they tend to thrive in most water conditions and grow to bragging size in relative short order. Often called big mouth bass, or wide mouth bass, they are savvy predators that feed on most things that live in their territory. Bass in the 5 to 10-pound range are common in Wisconsin. The state record largemouth bass is over 11 pounds.

Finding & Catching Bigmouth Bass

Anglers can target big mouth bass in various lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Spring and early summer are typically the best seasons for targeting largemouth bass as they are more active and feeding in the shallows near shoreline cover. Start with topwater baits, as they cover the water most efficiently. Reaction baits like crankbaits and spinnerbaits are the next choice. For finicky bass, plastic worms and jigs may entice a bite as you can move them very slowly around cover. In the heat of summer and the cold of winter bass move to deeper water, usually following the baitfish. Jigs, drop shot rigs and spoons are a good approach for bass holding in deep water. Vary your retrieve speed and action to find what the bass like today!

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Both largemouth and smallmouth bass provide thrilling angling experiences and are highly prized for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Wisconsin's diverse bass fishing opportunities, coupled with its picturesque landscapes, make it a sought-after destination for bass anglers of all skill levels. Whether you prefer the calm waters of a lake or the flowing currents of a river, Wisconsin offers endless possibilities for a memorable bass fishing adventure.

Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Wisconsin

Major Wisconsin lakes with healthy populations of bass include Beaver Dam Lake, Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, Big Green Lake, Castle Rock Lake, Chetac Lake, Fence Lake, Geneva Lake, Gile Flowage Lake, Grindstone Lake, Holcombe Flowage, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac Vieux Desert, Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Chippewa, Lake du Bay, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Koshkonong, Lake Michigan, Lake Monona, Lake Mendota, Lake Onalaska, Lake Pepin, Lake Poygan, Lake Puckaway, Lake Superior, Lake Winnebago, Lake Wissota, Long Lake, Namekagon Lake, Pelican Lake, Petenwell Lake, Pewaukee Lake, Rainbow Flowage, Shawano Lake, Shell Lake, Tomahawk Lake, Trout Lake, Turtle Flambeau Flowage and Willow Reservoir. Ponds, rivers, parks and smaller lakes are also likely to produce bass. Many of the lakes that ice over in winter provide ice fishing opportunities.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 bass fishing lures for Wisconsin this year

When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.

Wisconsin Bass Records

The state record largemouth bass was caught in Ripley Lake.

The state record smallmouth bass came from Indian Lake.

If you have information, articles or photos relating to bass fishing in Wisconsin which you would like to see published in this website, please submit them here for consideration.

Click here to learn about all types of fishing in Wisconsin.

Visit the Bass Knowledge Center for additional, valuable information about bass and bass fishing. Wisconsin is home to some very good bass fishing, especially smallmouth. You can find both types of bass in most of the warmer waters and smallies in some of the colder waters.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in Wisconsin.

Understanding the primary seasonal movements of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is key to locating them on local lakes in the Badger State.

Catch big bass!

Bass fishing information by state.

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