Top Five Big Lakes To Fish in Wisconsin: A Guide for Anglers

Known as “The Badger State” in honor of 1820s lead prospectors who lived in hillsides during the winter and therefore gained the nickname “badgers,” Wisconsin is home to a myriad of outdoor activities. Everyone from hunters and anglers to hikers and campers can readily find a place to enjoy their outdoor activities in the state and, for anglers, Wisconsin offers seemingly endless opportunities for fishermen. More than 15,000 lakes provide plenty of fishing, regardless of angling style and preferences. 

Whether you’re a warm-weather angler looking for the best lake to spend long family days chasing bass and panfish, or a dedicated ice-head ready to scout out your next spot for the season, Wisconsin has options. Five lakes in particular stand out for their productivity, accessibility, and angling breadth: Lake Winnebago, the Chippewa Flowage, Lac Courte Oreilles, Green Lake, and Lake Michigan.

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In this blog, we’ll explore what makes each of these lakes special, the species they’re known for, tips for finding fish, and advice for making your trip successful—whether you’re an ice fishing fanatic or an open-water enthusiast.

1. Lake Winnebago 

Key Species: Walleye, sturgeon, panfish, bass 

Why It’s Famous: The state’s largest inland lake spans more than 137,000 acres and boasts great fishing structure.

Wisconsin’s largest inland lake, Lake Winnebago is large, covering 137,708 acres in the east-central part of the state. The shallow freshwater lake is known for its walleye fishing—noted as some of the best in the country—as well as sturgeon, fish, and bass. The large lake offers plenty of structure and types of fisheries, including a reef, various islands, and two tributaries. It’s very possible to fish from the shore (approximately 88 acres of shoreline await) but due to the sheer size of the lake itself, it’s best fished from a boat. 

Ice Fishing: For many Midwestern ice fishing enthusiasts, Lake Winnebago is high on their lists. Due to the lake’s massive size and variances in underwater features and structure including reefs and breaks, it’s best to do your homework and plan your ice drilling site accordingly. For those who land in the right spot, walleye are the main goal, along with perch and pike as a possibility.

Open-Water Fishing: Walleye anglers will find the spring and early summer months the most productive on Lake Winnebago. As soon as the ice thaws in the spring (typically April), the water begins to see traffic. As the water continues to warm through late spring and into summer, bass begin to bite, adding to the target mix. Once summer hits, brown trout, and musky are popular species to target for fishermen spending the long days of summer on the water. As temperatures start to drop again in the autumn, the rainbow trout bite turns on until ice-over.

Insider Tip: Sturgeon spearing in the winter months is a unique style of fishing that’s been a historic pastime on Lake Winnebago.

2. Chippewa Flowage 

Key Species: Musky, walleye, pile, largemouth bass, smallmoth bass, panfish

Why It’s Famous: Home to the world-record musky, caught in October 1949 by angler Louie Spray, weighing 69 pounds, 11 ounces.

An artificial lake located in northwestern Wisconsin, the “Chip” spans 14,593 acres with an average depth of 15 feet. The lake is fed by both the West Fork Chippewa River and the East Fork Chippewa River, and is bracketed by the Winter Dam at the southern end of the lake. The lake has been carefully managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to promote optimal conditions for reproduction, growth, and survival of walleye, black crappie, musky, and bluegill in particular. 

Ice Fishing: The Chippewa Flowage is one of the best ice fishing destinations for those wishing to target various fish through the ice. Anglers often target crappie—regarded by many as great table-fare—but walleye are also a popular fish to target. Look to fish a combination of minnows and leeches as well as other live bait, and be ready with larger lures in your bag as well. The region can get extremely cold in the winter months, so consider investing in a quality ice shelter and very warm, well-designed clothing and boots to keep warm.

Open-Water Fishing: The open-water fishing season in Wisconsin opens in early May for northern pike and walleye, and early June for muskellunge and bass. These seasons run until the middle of February. 

The lake is bordered by sheltered bays which are home to the famous Chippewa Flowage floating bogs, ranging in size from a big dinner table to several acres. These bogs provide excellent habitat for healthy fish, offering shelter to smaller fish hiding from musky and other predators. Head to these bogs for bass, panfish, and crappie, and make the most of the lake’s wild waters—more than 90% of the lake is considered undeveloped. 

Insider Tip: In late July and August, when it’s the peak of summer and one of our favorite times to be on the water, target rocky bars along the lake edge, as well as deep flats. Rig up a jig and plastic or jig and live-bait combo and work the tops and sides of the bars, watching that change in contour. 

3. Lac Courte Oreilles

Key Species: Musky, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Northern pike, walleye

Why It’s Famous: Wisconsin’s eighth-largest lake is known for its big musky, as well as Northern pike.

Located in the northwestern part of the state in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, this large natural lake spans approximately 5,139 acres. Known for sandy beaches, clear water, and easy access, the lake is a popular recreational destination for regional anglers, boaters, and campers, and there are campsites and cabins available to rent along the shoreline.

Lac Courte Oreilles also holds special cultural and historical significance in the area. The lake is named after the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, who have lived in the area for centuries and now run a hotel and casino along the eastern shore. The lake is an important area resource for both business and recreationalists. 

Ice Fishing: Lac Courte Oreilles has tribal laws which regulate ice fishing, including:

• No hooks and lines can be used through holes larger than 12 inches in diameter
• No spears can be used through holes larger than 24 inches by 36 inches 
• Unattended lines must be biodegradable, securely anchored, and tagged with the user’s tribal identification number 
• No more than 50 lines can be used in total, and no more than three lakes can be used at once 

Wisconsin’s ice fishing season changes year to year pending weather and ice conditions, and typically kicks off in late December or early January, and goes as late as early April.

Open-Water Fishing: Part of what makes Lac Courte Oreilles such a trophy musky fishery is its deep, clear water. This, however, is also part of what can make it a challenging fishery. Using a depthfinder to locate structure, cover, and fish—as well as onX Fish tools and layers—can drastically increase your chances of success. 

Insider Tip: Target walleye along coontail weedlines and where thick cabbage grows. The fish find good structural habitat, protection, and food sources in these weedlines, and it’s a good place to start during summer and early autumn fishing seasons.

4. Green Lake

Key Species: Lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, white bass, walleye, Northern pike

Why It’s Famous: Nearly 29 miles of shoreline borders Green Lake, which is the deepest inland lake in the state at nearly 230 feet.

Ice Fishing: Green Lake is a prime ice fishing spot in Wisconsin. Hard-water fishing starts as early as December and, pending the year, can run into early March pending weather and ice conditions. Lake trout are a prime target for ice fishermen on Green Lake, as well as panfish and northern pike. Lake trout are best fished for in deeper waters using a sonar, so pack accordingly and come ready to get into the action. The lake’s Winterfest Trout Derby can be a wonderful season diversion for locals looking to log some hours on the ice.

Open-Water Fishing: Warm-weather anglers can find success fishing from the 29 miles of shoreline around Green Lake in a season which runs roughly from late March through early November. Boat anglers can really plumb the depths of the 230-foot-deep lake, which is where the larger fish can often be found. 

Insider Tip: Explore Woods Bay, located on the eastern side of the lake, in the spring months to find good-sized walleye. Target rocky areas to find these walleye, joined by panfish and smaller bass tucked amidst the rocks and structure.

5. Lake Michigan 

Key Species: sturgeon, lake trout, yellow perch, lake whitefish, musky, Chinook (king) salmon, coho salmon

Why It’s Famous: Dependable fishing season after season, a plethora of fish including salmon, and plenty of water for everyone: what’s not to like about Lake Michigan?

The largest lake in the United States, Lake Michigan is shared by Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and its namesake Michigan. The western shore of the lake along Wisconsin offers some of the water body’s best fishing, and the deep, cold waters of this Great Lake sustain a healthy fishery filled with a variety of species. 

Ice Fishing: The vast breadth of Lake Michigan means anglers need to do their research before venturing out. Once the ice is thick (often late January) and you have a couple spots in mind, it’s time to head out. The Bay of Green Bay is a popular spot for anglers seeking walleye and whitefish. Other harbors and tributaries of the massive lake offer prime ice fishing opportunities for anglers willing to bundle up and get after it. 

Open-Water Fishing: As is readily evident from looking at a map, Lake Michigan is massive. Anglers with access to a boat will find themselves kept busy scouting structure, weedlines, and other important habitat which will aggregate fish. If you don’t have a boat, though, don’t worry. More than 1,600 miles of shoreline mean there’s plenty of room for everyone. Land-based anglers can focus their efforts in harbors or piers, or simply at a promising spot on public land along the shoreline.

The spring and fall months are productive for trout and salmon, and summertime is also prime for smallmouth bass and perch. 

Insider Tip: Embrace the salmon! Trolling deep waters can produce Chinook salmon weighing as much as 30 pounds. Chinooks, also known as King salmon, are the largest of the Pacific salmon (hence the name “king salmon”) are excellent eating.

Find more lakes in Minnesota with our interactive map search.

Tips for Fishing Wisconsin’s Big Five Lakes  

• Check Regulations with onX Fish: Each lake can have specific fishing regulations, including slot limits, size restrictions, and season closures. Always verify the rules before heading out.  
• Let onX be your Guide: If you’re new to a lake or targeting a specific species, let the onX Fish app get you up to speed on your species of interest through abundance, keeper, and trophy opportunities. Find information about where to launch, forage in the lake, and recent aerial imagery to help winter and summer anglers alike. In ten minutes, we aim to give you the equivalent of 10 years experience on the ground.      
• Gear Up for the Season: Summer anglers should pack trolling setups, casting rods, and live bait rigs, while ice anglers need sturdy augers, warm gear, and sonar.  
• Be Prepared for Weather: Wisconsin weather can change rapidly, especially in winter, so keep onX Fish handy to see exact weather forecasts for your exact location. Dress in layers, and always check forecasts before heading onto the ice or water. 

Wisconsin’s fishing legacy lives on in these incredible lakes. Whether you’re chasing walleyes under a frozen surface, casting for smallmouth bass in summer, or hunting muskies in the fall, these waters promise unforgettable experiences. Plan your trip today, and you’ll understand why anglers return to these storied lakes year after year.  

Tight lines!