La Crosse, WI is home to some incredible fishing. If you like to fish river systems with lots of backwaters, this is the place for you. It is one of the best small boat fishing destinations in the state of Wisconsin for largemouth bass. Anglers come here from all over the midwest to experience the summer topwater fishing for largemouth bass. The largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish fisheries are outstanding in this area depending on where you are fishing. Anglers also catch smallmouth bass, walleye and other fish in the area waters. Take a look below to learn more about the area waters because this area has a ton of water to fish.
Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska is a 8,391 acre lake located in La Crosse County. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and northern pike are considered common. Smallmouth bass and walleye are listed as present. It is one of the best bluegill fisheries in the state of Wisconsin. They get a good amount of fishing pressure too, but Lake Onalaska seems to keep producing lots of quality bluegill to go along with a lot of other species too.
Wigwam Slough
Wigwam Slough is a 3,988 acre lake located in La Crosse, Vernon Counties. It is part of the Mississippi River just south of La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is a very popular part of the river for largemouth bass fishing. The backwaters here provide anglers with so much good shallow water cover that is perfect for smaller boats. Anglers may also catch northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish in this area, but largemouth bass is the big draw to this part of the Mississippi River.
Neshonoc Lake
Neshonoc Lake is a 606 acre lake located in La Crosse County. It has a maximum depth of 11 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings and there is public beach on the lake too. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, all of these fish are listed as present in the lake.
French Lake
French Lake is a 157 acre lake located in La Crosse County. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. According to the DNR, they are all considered common in the lake.