Southern Wisconsin offers some very good walleye fishing, however, on most of the better bodies of water, you will find good numbers of smaller walleye and will have to sort through many of the smaller ones to find some big fish. On the flip side of that, there are some lakes in southern Wisconsin with small numbers of walleye, but some very big fish are available. You don’t have too many places to fish where you can find both, but if you’re looking to catch walleye, there is a place for you to fish in southern Wisconsin. While many of the lakes will have some walleye in minimal numbers, we are going to list the better walleye waters to fish below.
Best Walleye Waters of Southern Wisconsin
Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River near the Dells are the best 2 spots to consistently go out and catch a walleye in southern Wisconsin. These are both good numbers fisheries with some quality fish mixed in.
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.
Wisconsin River (WI Dells Area)
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 Koshkonong
Lake Koshkonong is a solid walleye lake that is dependent on a good stocking program and selective harvest to keep it a good fishery due to the lack of natural spawning grounds for walleye here. As of now, the fishery is pretty solid with a good amount of walleye and some quality fish. Several guides fish this lake and many weekend anglers put in a lot of time out here.
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.
Big Fish Waters
There are some really good lakes that offer some very big walleye, however, you won’t find huge numbers in these waters.
Delavan Lake
Delavan Lake is a highly pressured lake and the walleye are here in lower numbers compared to some of the other species of fish. While many anglers will never even report catching a walleye on this lake, there are some anglers who target walleye and some of them end up catching some very nice-sized walleye. You have to put in the time, use live bait and fish during the peak feeding periods just to consistently get a shot to catch walleye here, but if you do, some big fish are possible.
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.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is turning into a lake where you can go out to target walleye and actually catch some. This hasn’t been the case here for a long time, but with the recent stockings, it looks like a fishable population of walleye has taken hold in the lake. As a bonus, there are some very big walleye in Lake Geneva, but they aren’t easy to catch.
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.
Madison Chain of Lakes
The Madison Chain of Lakes aren’t the place to go if you’re looking for big numbers of walleye, however, these lakes are known for being awesome for quality fish for several different species of fish. There are enough walleye in these lakes combined with plenty of deep water and lots of bait fish, so you have everything you need to grow some bigger walleye.
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 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.
Lake Wingra
Lake Wingra is the smallest lake on the Madison Chain of Lakes. While you can catch some walleye on this lake, the better walleye fishing occurs on the larger lakes throughout the chain.
Lake Wingra is a 336 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 14 feet. There is a public boat landing on the lake as well as a public beach. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while muskie and largemouth bass are common. Northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Other Walleye Waters in Southern Wisconsin
Pewaukee Lake
Pewaukee Lake is a 2,437 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 45 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, muskie, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while walleye 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.
Whitewater Lake
Whitewater Lake is a 625 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. There is a public beach on the lake as well. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is murky. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake, largemouth bass are common while northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake is a 529 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 11 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. Fish include northern pike, muskie, walleye, largemouth bass and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and panfish are considered common. Muskie and walleye 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
Bass Bay Lake
Bass Bay Lake is a 104 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 23 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake, largemouth bass are considered common while northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
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.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is a 397 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is moderately clear. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and northern pike are abundant in the lake while walleye and panfish are listed as present.
Camp Lake
Camp Lake is a 439 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass and panfish are considered common. Walleye and catfish are listed as present.
Center Lake
Center Lake is a 126 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 28 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant while panfish and northern pike are considered common. 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.
Fowler Lake
Fowler Lake is a 97 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake, largemouth bass are considered common while northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Golden Lake
Golden Lake is a 288 acre lake located in Waukesha, Jefferson Counties. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while walleye are listed as present.
Green Lake
Green Lake is a 311 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 57 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while walleye are listed as present. The water is very clear.
Lake Delton
Lake Delton is a 249 acre lake located in Sauk County. It has a maximum depth of 16 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. The water is murky. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and walleye are common in the lake while northern pike, catfish and panfish are listed as present.
Lake Denoon
Lake Denoon is a 167 acre lake located in Waukesha, Racine Counties. It has a maximum depth of 55 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and northern pike are common in the lake while walleye and panfish are listed as present.
Lake Keesus
Lake Keesus is a 235 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 42 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake, panfish are common while northern pike and walleye are listed as present.
Lake Mary
Lake Mary is a 327 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 33 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, walleye and panfish are common in the lake while northern pike are listed as present.
Lake Ripley
Lake Ripley is a 420 acre lake located in Jefferson County. It has a maximum depth of 44 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a couple of public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake.
Little Muskego Lake
Little Muskego Lake is a 470 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 65 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from several public boat landings. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while northern pike and walleye 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.
Middle Lake
Middle Lake is a 259 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while walleye are listed as present.
Mill Lake
Mill Lake is a 271 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish are common in the lake while walleye are listed as present.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a 139 acre lake located in Sauk County. It has a maximum depth of 19 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from multiple public boat landings. There is also a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. The water is murky.
Mud Lake
Mud Lake is a 185 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 15 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish are common in the lake while walleye and catfish are listed as present.
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.
Pleasant Lake
Pleasant Lake is a 145 acre lake located in Walworth County. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass are abundant in the lake while northern pike, walleye and panfish are listed as present. The water is moderately clear.
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.
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.
Twin Valley Lake
Twin Valley Lake is a 136 acre lake located in Iowa County. It has a maximum depth of 32 feet. There is a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, muskie, trout, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and muskie are common in the lake while walleye, trout and panfish are listed as present.
Upper Mud Lake
Upper Mud Lake is a 218 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 8 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, catfish and panfish. According to the DNR, largemouth bass and panfish are abundant in the lake while northern pike are considered common. Muskie, walleye and catfish 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.
Vern Wolf Lake
Vern Wolf Lake is a 150 acre lake located in Kenosha County. It has a maximum depth of 12 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while the other species of fish are listed as present.
Waubeesee Lake
Waubeesee Lake is a 139 acre lake located in Racine County. It has a maximum depth of 73 feet. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish. According to the DNR, northern pike and panfish are abundant in the lake while largemouth bass are common and walleye are listed as present. The lake is moderately clear.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is a 453 acre lake located in Lafayette County. It has a maximum depth of 14 feet. Anglers have access to the lake from several public boat landings. There is also a public beach on the lake. Fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, trout and panfish. According to the DNR, panfish are abundant in the lake while muskie and largemouth bass are considered common. Northern pike, walleye and trout are listed as present. The water is murky.
