Lake Winnebago fishing

Fishing at Lake Winnebago has Sauger, Lake Sturgeon, and Muskellunge on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 2010, most often in January. Species guides list dawn, day, dusk, and night for Sauger and dawn and dusk for Muskellunge.

Last stocked

January 1, 2024

Plants on record

4

Since 2010

Species recorded

3

Average size

8.9 in

Surface acres

131,908.6

Access and facts

Boat ramp
Yes

20 public boat landings provide access to this 131939-acre lake in Winnebago County, plus a public beach. Water clarity is low; maximum depth is 21 ft.

Sources: access.boat_ramp , shore_notes , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs , watch_outs , angler_notes

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How Lake Winnebago is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2024 it was January 1, 2024, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 11 years between 2010 and 2024.

Becker Lake (19.6 mi), DeNeveu Lake (19.7 mi), and Long Lake (26.5 mi) were stocked more recently.

Fish at Lake Winnebago

Fishing Lake Winnebago is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 2 of 4 plants on record, ahead of Lake Sturgeon and one more.

Muskellunge 2 plants
Plants
2 of 4
Last stocked
January 1, 2024
Average length
10.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Lake Sturgeon 1 plant
Plants
1 of 4
Last stocked
January 1, 2012
Average length
13.7 in
Sauger 1 plant
Plants
1 of 4
Last stocked
January 1, 2010
Average length
0.1 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Sauger guide.

Fishing Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago is known as one of Wisconsin's more heavily fished lakes. Anglers can find abundant panfish, walleye, sturgeon, and catfish here. Other species present include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, musky, and northern pike.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , apps.dnr.wi.gov

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware that the lake has low water clarity. Also, the Winnebago Pool, which includes Lake Winnebago, was ranked as the state's busiest inland waterway.

What anglers say

According to many fishermen, Lake Winnebago is considered one of the nation's top walleye fisheries.

Fish stocked per year

  • 252,0002010
  • 22012
  • 2,4912021
  • 1,5012024

Stocking history

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2024 Muskellunge 1,501 11.4 in report
January 1, 2021 Muskellunge 2,491 10.45 in report
January 1, 2012 Lake Sturgeon 2 13.7 in report
January 1, 2010 Sauger 252,000 0.13 in report

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes