Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
A large reservoir west of Mosinee with 12 public landings. Walleye are abundant and managed with a protected slot.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Abundant. Protected slot of 20–24 in. Points and the old river channel.
Northern Pike
Common. 32 in minimum.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Musky
Big baits along weed edges, rock bars and channel breaks, best in fall.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Northern Pike | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Musky |
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Oxbo Boat LandingPublicWest endDirections ↗
- 12 public landings in totalPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all locationsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye 20-24 in protected; only 1 over 24 in; open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | 15 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Northern Pike Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | 32 in | 1 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2 to Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Trout See specific trout regulations | Varies | Varies |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- The Sportsman's Repair Shop LLC11.4 mi1007 Pasha Avenue, Mosinee · closest to Oxbo Boat Landing(715) 693-6634Directions ↗
- Mosinee Bait & Taxidermy11.5 mi922 Western Avenue, Mosinee · closest to Oxbo Boat Landing(715) 693-3520Directions ↗
- Riverside Bait and Tackle19.6 miclosest to Oxbo Boat LandingDirections ↗
Local tips
- Winter drawdowns lower the lake a lot. Check launch conditions in spring.
- Low oxygen can cause winter fish kills in some years.
- Twelve public landings spread around the reservoir.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Big Eau Pleine Reservoir.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.