Lake Michigan
The ports along Lake Michigan are very popular for anglers looking to take their big boats out or for those looking to hop on a fishing charter to fish for salmon and trout. During the spring and fall, anglers also catch a lot of salmon and trout from shore during the spawning runs. There are plenty of rivers that feed Lake Michigan and they receive spawning fish every spring and fall. Take a look at the ports along Lake Michigan in Central Wisconsin.
Algoma
The Algoma port is known for its excellent fishing for salmon and trout. This port isn’t as popular as some of the other destinations in Wisconsin, but there are several fishing charters available and the fishing is very good here.
Kewaunee
The Kewaunee area isn’t as popular of a port as some of the other destinations in Wisconsin, but for the people that live up in this area, they get to enjoy a beautiful part of Lake Michigan.
In this area, there are several fishing charters here and the fishing is good for salmon and trout from spring through fall. The Kewaunee River also offers some good fishing during the annual spawning runs. Come here with your own boat or use a charter. Either way, there is some very good fishing out of Kewaunee.
Sheboygan
Sheboygan is a decent-sized city located on the shores of Lake Michigan. This isn’t really a popular vacation destination, but it is a popular day trip for anglers looking to get into some good fishing.
Salmon & trout fishing is very good here from spring through fall and there are many fishing charters that can help put you on some fish. The Sheboygan River gets a good run of fish in the spring and the fall, so shore anglers can experience some good fishing in the river.
Two Rivers / Manitowoc
Manitowoc & Two Rivers are 2 small towns located on the shores of Lake Michigan. These port towns aren’t very popular fishing vacation destinations, but they are good destinations for a day trip. Most people that come here to fish for the day will be from Wisconsin.
Salmon & Trout
The Manitowoc & Two Rivers area is home to several fishing charters and some very good fishing for salmon and trout on Lake Michigan. The area rivers will also hold fish in the spring and fall as they migrate up the rivers. The fall run will be bigger as many species of salmon and trout will move up the rivers to spawn.
Lake Winnebago
Lake Winnebago is the nation’s second largest inland freshwater lake. It is 28 miles long, 11 miles wide and covers 137,700 acres. It is so big that it takes up space in 3 different counties including Winnebago, Fond du Lac and Calumet. The lake covers 85 miles of shoreline and you can find plenty of lighthouses, launch ramps, harbors, parks and restaurants around the water. The lake is very popular for a variety of outdoor activities. There is plenty of room on the lake for everyone.
The fishing on Lake Winnebago is excellent. It is a large lake, but it is not as overwhelming as some would think. It is known as a great numbers lake for walleye and there are many other species of fish that you can catch here too. Because the lake is so large, we decided to break it into smaller parts to help anglers learn the lake better.
Petenwell Lake
Petenwell Lake is a 23,173 acre lake located in Adams, Wood, Juneau Counties. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. There is also a public beach on this lake. Fish include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, walleye and panfish are common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Lake Poygan
Lake Poygan is a 14,024 acre lake located in Waushara, Winnebago Counties. It has a maximum depth of 11 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. Fish include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, catfish, sturgeon and panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye are considered common. Smallmouth bass and muskie are listed as present.
Castle Rock Lake
Castle Rock Lake is only about 30 minutes from the Wisconsin Dells. It is a huge lake covering 13,955 acres. The lake is located in Adams, Juneau Counties. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a bunch of public boat landings. There are 3 public beaches as well. Fish include walleye, northern pike, white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, sturgeon, catfish and a variety of panfish. According to the DNR, walleye and panfish are common in the lake while the other species listed are considered present.
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.
Green Lake
Green Lake is a very large, deep lake that covers 7,346 acres with 75% of the lake deeper than 20 feet and a maximum depth of 236 feet. Green Lake is a beautiful town with a lot to offer the entire family. Experience the shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, or just relax around the lake. Green Lake is known for being a crowd-free, accessible lake.
The lake supports a healthy population of northern pike, smallmouth bass, trout, channel catfish and panfish. Walleye and largemouth bass are also present.
Beaver Dam Lake
Beaver Dam Lake is a 6,718 acre lake located in Dodge County. It has a maximum depth of 7 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye are abundant in the lake while panfish are listed as common.
Shawano Lake
Shawano Lake is a 6,215 acre lake located in Shawano County. It has a maximum depth of 39.5 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. The lake also has a public beach. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, sturgeon and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike are abundant in the lake while walleye, largemouth bass and panfish are considered common. Muskie and sturgeon are listed as present. The water is murky.
Puckaway Lake
Puckaway Lake is a 5,013 acre lake located in Marquette, Green Lake Counties. It has a maximum depth of 5 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, walleye and catfish are common in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Lake Winneshiek
Lake Winneshiek is a 4,635 acre lake located in Crawford County. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake.
Lake Winneconne
Lake Winneconne is a 4,553 acre lake located in Winnebago County. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. Fish include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike, sturgeon, catfish and panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and walleye are considered common. Smallmouth bass and muskie are listed as present.
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.
Sinissippi Lake (Hustisford)
Sinissippi Lake (Hustisford) is a 3,078 acre lake located in Dodge County. It has a maximum depth of 8 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. Fish include northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, all species are considered common in the lake.
Rush Lake
Rush Lake is a 2,729 acre lake located in Fond du Lac, Winnebago Counties. It has a maximum depth of 5 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are common in the lake while northern pike are listed as present.
Fox Lake
Fox Lake is a 2,713 acre lake located in Dodge County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, all of the species listed are considered common in the lake. The water is murky.
Buffalo Lake
Buffalo Lake is a 2,179 acre lake located in Marquette County. It has a maximum depth of 8 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from many public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, catfish and panfish are common in the lake while largemouth bass, walleye and northern pike are listed as present.
Grand River Marsh
Grand River Marsh is a 1,446 acre lake located in Marquette, Green Lake Counties. It has a maximum depth of 7 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, all of the species are listed as present in the lake.
Little Lake Butte Des Morts
Little Lake Butte Des Morts is a 1,200 acre lake located in Winnebago County. It has a maximum depth of 18 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, sturgeon, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, catfish, sturgeon and panfish are abundant in the lake while northern pike and walleye are considered common. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are listed as present.
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is a 937 acre lake located in Washington County. It has a maximum depth of 105 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while northern pike and panfish are considered common. Walleye are listed as present. The water is moderately clear.
Mud Lake
Mud Lake is a 817 acre lake located in Columbia County. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. The lake is a shallow, marshy lake. Some anglers report good northern pike fishing.
Sheboygan Lake
Sheboygan Lake is a 646 acre lake located in Sheboygan County. It has a maximum depth of 4 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike are abundant in the lake while panfish are listed as common. Largemouth bass are listed as present.
Lake Redstone
Lake Redstone is a 635 acre lake located in Sauk County. It has a maximum depth of 36.5 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings, a public beach. Fish include largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while muskie, northern pike and walleye are listed as present. The water is murky.
Rynearson Flowage No. 1
Rynearson Flowage No. 1 is a 555 acre lake located in Juneau County. It has a maximum depth of 14 feet. Fish include northern pike and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is a 525 acre lake located in Columbia, Dane Counties. It has a maximum depth of 9 feet. Fish include largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are common in the lake while largemouth bass are listed as present.
