Lake Wisconsin
A Wisconsin River impoundment above the Prairie du Sac dam, crossed by the Merrimac ferry. It has 15 public landings and a solid walleye, bass and pike fishery.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Common. Protected slot of 20–28 in. Current near the dam and river channel.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and river mouths in the evening.
Panfish
Bluegill, crappie and perch in weeds and brush. Great through the ice.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Northern Pike |
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Okee Bay Boat LaunchPublicEast end near OkeeDirections ↗
- 2Whalen Grade Boat LaunchPublicEast endDirections ↗
- 3Lakeside Boat LaunchPublicEast endDirections ↗
- 4Sunset Bay Boat LaunchPublicMid-lakeDirections ↗
- 5Moon Valley Boat LaunchPublicWest endDirections ↗
- 6County Park Boat LaunchPublicWest endDirections ↗
- 15 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 Open all year; only 1 fish over 28 in | 15 in (20-28 in may not be kept) | 3 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Open all year | 14 in | 5 / day |
| Northern Pike Open all year | 26 in | 2 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 50 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Lake Sturgeon Sept 5-30, 2026; hook and line sturgeon must be tagged and registered | 60 in | 1 / day |
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.
- Cabela's20.1 mi1350 Cabela Drive, Sun Prairie · closest to Whalen Grade Boat Launch(608) 478-4100Directions ↗
- Deon's Live Bait & Minnows20.8 mi2301 Commercial Avenue, Madison · closest to Okee Bay Boat Launch(608) 244-5880Directions ↗
- Harley's Liquor & Bait22.9 mi3838 Atwood Avenue, Madison · closest to Okee Bay Boat Launch(608) 222-7941Directions ↗
Local tips
- The Prairie du Sac dam tailwater is a famous spring walleye and sauger spot.
- Current and sand bars shift. Watch the river channel markers.
- The free Merrimac ferry crosses the lake in season.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Lake Wisconsin.
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.