The 8 Best Fishing Lakes & Rivers In Wisconsin!

The US has a plenty of fishing lakes, rivers and streams throughout the country. Wisconsin is home to some of the most popular and scenic fisheries. This article will help describe the top 8 places to fish in Wisconsin as voted by the anglers themselves. 

If you're finding it difficult to decide where to go fishing, choose a place from the list and experience day of fishing like never before!

Nearby Places: Oshkosh, Neenah, Fond du Lac

Known Types of Fish: Walleye, yellow perch, pike, crappie & bass

Lake Details: This beautiful lake in the heart of Wisconsin is considered a shallow lake with a depth of only 21ft. As winter progresses, many of the Winnebago lakes fish will begin to roam the lakes basin. Those ice anglers who put the effort in and drill a number of holes will be rewarded with bags of fish. Don’t be afraid to venture away (1/2 – 1 mile) from other anglers. The lake's main basin is huge. A good place to start is 2-3 miles off the east or west coast shore.

Nearby Places: Shawano, Cecil, Keshena

Known Types of Fish: Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed & Crappie

Lake Details: The shawano lake is large, shallow and fertile. His has numerous underwater structures as well as plenty of reeds, the ideal fishing habitat. There has been huge bass, pike and walleye catches in these waters, making it a great day out for fishing.  

Shawano is a drainage lake located in Wisconsin, approximately a 30 minute drive, northwest of Green bay. The association that owns the lake hires professional tradesmen to manage the lake, ensuring all weeds are cut back which enables the boating lanes to be easily accessible all year round, these lanes are marked with buoys. 

If you’re looking to fish for crappie at Shawano lake, you’ll find the crappie fishing season begins 2 weeks after the ice break-out, typically at the start of spring. The crappie living in this lake tend to have a shallow, pre-spawn feeding pattern around the end of April/beginning of May. They will then feed at the deeper areas (12-14ft) of the water. 

Nearby Places: Boulder Junction & Sayner

Known Types of Fish: Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish & Panfish

Lake Details: Jute Lake, Boulder Junction in Vilas County, is a very quiet, well-kept lake that supplies anglers with a largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing experience. The lake has a water depth of approximately 8ft-25ft, and the water is mostly clear. The lake is surrounded by plenty of others, in fact, there are 194 lakes within a radius of 10 miles. Therefore, taking a navigation device with you to the lake will help prevent you from getting lost. 

If you’re specifically looking to fish Jute lake for bass, it really depends on the time of the year whether the bass are close to the shore in rock piles or located in open water. The lake is situated in a very remote part of Vilas County, if you’re wanting to fish for a number of days, it’s a good idea to book a cabin or take a shelter with you. 

Nearby Places: Madison, Maple Bluff, Shorewood Hills, Middleton & Westport

Known Types of Fish: Northern Pike, Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, Walleye

Lake Details: The main city of Madison sits on the south side of Lake Mendota. The shoreline of the city is a popular place of living for wealthy people with the cost of housing and living very high. The lake has several beaches and can be a popular attraction for locals to swim during the summer months. 

The lake can easily be accessible from one of several boat landings, making it a very popular destination for anglers. Northern Pike, Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Bluegill, Walleye can be found in the lake and anglers suggest there are monster sized fish lingering around the waters.

Allequash Lake

Nearby Places: Boulder Junction, Star Lake & Sayner

Known Types of Fish: Northern Pike, Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Bluegill, Walleye

Lake Details: Located in the Northern Highland-American Legion state forest, the 168 hectare, 7 meter max depth lake is home to a variety of fish, making it a popular destination for anglers to enjoy fishing. 

Due to the local forestry, this lake is also a popular place for hikers to explore the surrounding woodland all year round. During the winter, you will find cross-country skiers and snowshoers. There are camping grounds in the forest which makes it a great place to have a long weekend break. 

Mississippi River Pool 10

Nearby Places: Lynxville & Prairie Du Chien

Known Types of Fish: Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, Yellow Perch

River Details: This stretch of water is very popular (for those that know about it) for fishing throughout the summer and spring months. The Mississippi pool 10 is a stretch of the Mississippi river from Lock and Dam Number Ten, Guttenberg, IA 52052 to US Lock And Dam No. 9, Lynxville, WI 54626. 

The 32 miles span of water is home to approximately 120 species of fish. There are plenty of islands, backwaters and side channels.

This stretch of water attracts all types of anglers as you can fish from the shirelines, by boat or the fishing pier, making it easily accessible for everyone all year round.

Kickapoo River

Nearby Places: Gays Mills & Viroqua

Known Types of Fish: Brown Trout, Brook Trout & Smallmouth Bass

River Details: Located in the southwest of Wisconsin, the Kickapoo river attracts anglers from all over the US. It is widely known as one of the best trout fishing locations in the US. Not only does the river have the fish, it also has beautiful surroundings with hilly countryside, picturesque cliffs, orchards and local produce stands. 

One of the stand-out positives of this river is the natural springs that creates the ideal natural environment for brown and brook trout. Gay Mills is a small town located on the river but the larger town of Viroqua is situated 15 miles away offering better overnight stay and restaurant options. 

Eagle River

Nearby Places: Conover

Known Types of Fish: Walleye, Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie and Catfish. 

Lake Details: Eagle river is a chain or waterways that are combined to make 10 lakes and provides anglers with some of the best Musky fish in Wisconsin. This is the ideal living environment for Musky as the waters are clear, shallow and have plenty of weeds.

Although the Musky draws the crowds of anglers in, these waters are also home to other fish such as;  Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie and Catfish. The catfish lake is the largest lake on the complex, however most anglers like to switch between lakes throughout the day.