Southern Wisconsin is home to lots of largemouth bass lakes, so smallmouth bass are definitely secondary compared to largemouth bass in this part of the state, however, there are some lakes available to target smallmouth bass. The Wisconsin River near the Dells is a popular smallmouth bass destination, however, Lake Geneva is the premier smallmouth bass destination in southern Wisconsin. The deep, clear waters of Lake Geneva aren’t always easy to catch good numbers of smallmouth bass, but there isn’t another lake in Southern Wisconsin that compares to the amount of quality smallmouth bass in the 3 to 5 pound range that are caught here every year. To learn about the waters to fish for smallmouth bass, take a look below.
Wisconsin River
The Wisconsin River is the best place to fish in the Dells area. You have so much variety with some quality fish. and so much area to fish. In the Dells area, the Wisconsin River is separated into 2 distinct sections: the Lower Dells & the Upper Dells.
Lower Dells
The Kilbourn Dam, also known as the Wisconsin Dells dam, is a hydroelectric dam that separates the Upper and Lower Dells. The section of the Lower Dells is a 36 mile section that leads to Lake Wisconsin. Many people choose to fish the dam early and late in the year as walleye, white bass, crappie and other species will move up to the dam. In the spring, the spawning migration pushes these game fish up here and in the fall, they move up to feed on a variety of bait fish. While walleye, sauger and white bass get a lot of attention here, the fishing is good on the Lower Dells for smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and sturgeon. Northern pike and muskie are found in this part of the river too.
Upper Dells
The Upper Dells is also popular for fishing, however, it isn’t as popular close to town during the spawning migrations because the large migrations of fish will push north towards the Castle Rock Dam, which is another hydroelectric dam that backs up the Wisconsin and Yellow Rivers. Closer to the Dells, anglers do target walleye, sauger and white bass from spring through fall, but there are so many other fish to catch as well. Smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, sturgeon, catfish and crappie round out the fishery. The Upper Dells are home to some spectacular scenery as well.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is a 5,401 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 135 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There are also multiple public beaches on the lake as well. Lake Geneva is a very popular recreational lake for swimming and boating. Fishing is very popular as well, however, you will have to deal with plenty of recreational boater traffic from some very large boats on this lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye, lake trout, crappie, bluegill, perch and rock bass. According to the DNR, smallmouth bass are abundant while all other species in the lake are listed as present.
Lake Koshkonong
Lake Koshkonong is a 10,595 acre lake located in Dane, Rock, Jefferson Counties. It has a maximum depth of 7 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There are also 2 public beaches on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are common in the lake while all other species listed are present. The water is very murky.
Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota is a 9,781 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 83 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. There are also 7 public beaches on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and catfish are considered common. Sturgeon are listed as present. The water is murky.
Lake Wisconsin
Lake Wisconsin is a 7,197 acre lake located in Sauk, Columbia Counties. It has a maximum depth of 24 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a bunch of public boat landings. Fish include walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, catfish, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye are common in the lake.
Lake Monona
Lake Monona is a 3,359 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 74 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There are 7 public beaches on the lake as well. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye are considered common. Muskie, smallmouth bass, sturgeon and catfish are listed as present.
Lake Kegonsa
Lake Kegonsa is a 3,200 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There is also a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye are considered common. Smallmouth bass, muskie and catfish are listed as present.
Lake Waubesa
Lake Waubesa is a 2,074 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 38 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There is also a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish and largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while northern pike and walleye are considered common. Muskie, smallmouth bass and catfish are listed as present.
Delavan Lake
Delavan Lake is a 1,906 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 52 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, crappie, bluegill and perch. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake, while all of the other species of fish are listed as present.
Rock Lake
Rock Lake is a 1,365 acre lake located in Jefferson County. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There are also 2 public beaches on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish are common in the lake while northern pike are listed as present.
Okauchee Lake
Okauchee Lake is a 1,210 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 90 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from 2 public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike and largemouth bass are common in the lake while walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish are listed as present.
Lac La Belle
Lac La Belle is a 1,154 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 45 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Nagawicka Lake
Nagawicka Lake is a 981 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 90 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, largemouth are common in the lake while smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and panfish are listed as present.
Wind Lake
Wind Lake is a 919 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while smallmouth bass and catfish are listed as present.
Oconomowoc Lake
Oconomowoc Lake is a 818 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is very clear, which can make fishing exciting because you can see a lot of fish in the lake, however, getting them to bite isn’t always easy. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and northern pike are common in the lake while smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish are listed as present.
Elizabeth Lake
Elizabeth Lake is a 725 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while northern pike, walleye and panfish are considered common. Smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Pine Lake
Pine Lake is a 711 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 85 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is very clear. Combine the clear water and the fishing pressure on this lake and fishing can be challenging for anglers. It is a good bass lake, but you really need to downsize your fishing line and/or use fluorocarbon to get more bites. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are common in the lake while northern pike, walleye and panfish are listed as present.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a 516 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike, walleye and largemouth bass are common in the lake while smallmouth bass, catfish and panfish are listed as present.
Smaller Lakes
Blackhawk Lake
Blackhawk Lake is a 212 acre lake located in Iowa County. It has a maximum depth of 42 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while smallmouth bass and walleye are listed as present.
Devils Lake
Devils Lake is a popular lake to visit in this area. Devils Lake State Park is here and that gives people access to this scenic lake. There are 2 public boat landings on the lake and 2 public beaches as well. It is a 374 acre lake located in Sauk County. It has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and northern pike are considered common. The other species of fish are listed as present.
Lower Nemahbin Lake
Lower Nemahbin Lake is a 239 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are common in the lake while the other species are listed as present. The water is moderately clear.
North Lake (Waukesha County)
North Lake is a 440 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 78.4 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while walleye are listed as present.
Powers Lake
Powers Lake is a 451 acre lake located in Walworth, Kenosha Counties. It has a maximum depth of 33 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while northern pike, walleye and panfish are considered common. Smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Spring Lake (Jefferson County)
Spring Lake is a 105 acre lake located in Jefferson County. It has a maximum depth of 11 feet. There is a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, smallmouth bass are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and panfish are considered common. Northern pike are listed as present. The water is murky.
Spring Lake (Waukesha County)
Spring Lake is a 105 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 22 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are common in the lake while largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike are listed as present.
Tichigan Lake
Tichigan Lake is a 279 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 63 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while walleye, northern pike, catfish and panfish are considered common. Smallmouth bass and trout are listed as present.
Upper Nemahbin Lake
Upper Nemahbin Lake is a 277 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 60 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while smallmouth bass and walleye are listed as present. The water is moderately clear.