Muskellunge Stocked · 16 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk Lake Waubesa fishing
Lake Waubesa fishing is stocked with Walleye, Muskellunge, and Northern Pike on a natural lake. Also recorded: Catfish. It is stocked about 1.9 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.
- Last stocked
- 2025
- Muskellunge
- Plants on record
- 31
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 3 (+1 also recorded)
- Average size
- 8.5 in
- Surface acres
- 2,075.3
Fish at Lake Waubesa
Muskellunge Stocked · 16 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk 
Northern Pike Stocked · 8 plants · last 2020 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Walleye Stocked · 7 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night Catfish Confirmed present
Anglers can target Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Catfish. Notably, a Wisconsin state record Yellow bass was caught here in 2013, measuring 16.1 inches long and weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces. (apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Lake Waubesa is stocked
About 217 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
28,750
Fish stocked in 2011
1,250
Fish stocked in 2012
29,050
Fish stocked in 2013
1,250
Fish stocked in 2014
77,313
Fish stocked in 2015
2,909
Fish stocked in 2016
76,046
Fish stocked in 2017
1,190
Fish stocked in 2018
86,120
Fish stocked in 2019
1,040
Fish stocked in 2020
3,646
Fish stocked in 2021
1,037
Fish stocked in 2022
65,857
Fish stocked in 2024
74,751
Fish stocked in 2025
1,037
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 1,037 | 12 in | report |
| 2024 | Walleye | 73,714 | 1.5 in | report |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 1,037 | 11.74 in | report |
| 2022 | Walleye | 65,507 | 1.46 in | report |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 350 | 10 in | report |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 1,037 | 12 in | report |
| 2020 | Muskellunge | 572 | 12 in | report |
| 2020 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 9.95 in | report |
| 2020 | Muskellunge | 574 | 12 in | report |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 1,040 | 11.58 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 82,581 | 1.54 in | report |
| 2018 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 9.1 in | report |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 1,039 | 12.1 in | report |
| 2017 | Muskellunge | 1,190 | 9.8 in | report |
| 2016 | Muskellunge | 1,038 | 10.8 in | report |
| 2016 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 7.7 in | report |
| 2016 | Walleye | 72,508 | 1.03 in | report |
| 2015 | Muskellunge | 832 | 12 in | report |
| 2015 | Northern Pike | 2,077 | 8.3 in | report |
| 2014 | Muskellunge | 1,305 | 11.1 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 72,608 | 1.4 in | report |
| 2014 | Northern Pike | 900 | 14 in | report |
| 2014 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 8.8 in | report |
| 2013 | Muskellunge | 1,250 | 9.2 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 25,000 | 2.02 in | report |
| 2012 | Muskellunge | 1,250 | 10.4 in | report |
| 2012 | Northern Pike | 2,800 | 7.9 in | report |
| 2011 | Muskellunge | 1,250 | 9.2 in | report |
| 2010 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 7.5 in | report |
| 2010 | Muskellunge | 1,250 | 12.9 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 25,000 | 1.6 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- McFarland, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, camping, dock, cleaning station
Three Dane County ramps need a county boat permit: Babcock Park (east shore, Yahara outlet, accessible pier, fish cleaning, campground), Lake Farm (NW) and Goodland (SW). DNR also names county parks, the Lower Yahara River Trail and McFarland's McDaniel Park for shore fishing.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you go.
About Lake Waubesa
Anglers should be aware of several invasive species present in Lake Waubesa, including Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Spiny Waterflea, and Zebra Mussel. Additionally, at the McConnell Street Boat Launch, there is no turnaround at the launch site, requiring users to back from Waucheeta Trail to the launch. (apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)(dnrmaps.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Public land at Lake Waubesa
Lake Waubesa is 0.7 miles outside the edge of Capital Springs State Recreation Area.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Lake Waubesa?
Fishing Lake Waubesa usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 16 of 31 plants on record, ahead of Northern Pike and one more. Muskellunge was last stocked 2025, averaging 11.2 in. Northern Pike was last stocked 2020, averaging 9.2 in. Walleye was last stocked 2024, averaging 1.5 in. Catfish is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lake Waubesa stocked?
Last stocked 2025. It is stocked about 1.9 times a year since 2010. About 217 reported fish per acre, 3rd most of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2023.
How big are the fish stocked at Lake Waubesa?
Stocked fish average 8.5 in. Muskellunge average 11.2 in. Northern Pike average 9.2 in. Walleye average 1.5 in.
How do you get on Lake Waubesa?
The nearest town is McFarland, WI. Facilities include restrooms, camping, dock, and cleaning station. Three Dane County ramps need a county boat permit: Babcock Park (east shore, Yahara outlet, accessible pier, fish cleaning, campground), Lake Farm (NW) and Goodland (SW). DNR also names county parks, the Lower Yahara River Trail and McFarland's McDaniel Park for shore fishing.