Fishing on Lake Wisconsin

Lake Wisconsin offers excellent fishing for walleye, Sauger, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegills and white bass. It covers approximately 9000 surface acres. The Dam in Prairie du Sac which forms Lake Wisconsin was built in 1909 and flooded in 1919. The stretch of the river, which runs from Wisconsin Dells dam on the upper end, down to Prairie du Sac on the lower end, is the last reservoir on the river before it's confluence into the Mississippi River. The lake itself is approximately 10 miles long and it's roughly another 20 miles from the upper end of Lake Wisconsin to the dam in Wisconsin Dells.

Our cottage, Island View Hideaway is on the upstream side of the lake, on the east shore alongside a large group of islands.

Lake Wisconsin, rich in nutrients, has tannin stained waters and a maximum depth of 47'. Although the river is the main source of water for Lake Wisconsin, there are several streams and creeks that feed it as well. Rowan Creek feeds into Whalens Grade, Prentice Creek feeds into Stoners Bay and there are several unnamed creeks such as the one near the back end of Gallus Slough.

Main lake bottom composition consist mostly of sand, rock and gravel but back bays may have a considerable amount of muck. Stumps are abundant in the wider expanse above the RR Bridge near Merrimac and near the mouths of both Weigands Bay and Moon Valley. And though less abundant, they also exist near the mouths of other bays as well. Vegetation is limited throughout most of the main lake but Coontail, Pondweed, rushes, and water lilies can be found in most of the back bays.

Excellent fish growth rates indicate a superior forage base which consists of a large population of gizzard shad. Blunt nose minnows and shiners are also common.

Because of this, a walleye can grow 17-18" long in just three years. Saugers can grow 13-15" and crappies can grow to a length of 10" during that same three year time span.

Both walleye and Sauger had excellent spawning success in the mid 1990's. That spawning success, combined with the new bag limits that went into effect on April 1, 2002 and the abundance of forage species for these fish to feed on, has turned Lake Wisconsin into one of the State's premier walleye and Sauger fisheries. Currently fisherman are allowed to keep a total of five walleyes and Saugers combined between 15-20" long. All fish between 20-28" long must be returned to the lake. One fish over 28" long may be kept but must be included in your daily total of five per person.

Walleyes in the 10-13lb range are caught every year and Saugers over 20 inches long are common. Many fisherman come to chase the abundant crappie which can easily reach 15" or larger. All walleye, Sauger, crappie, bluegill, Muskie, pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass reproduce naturally in Lake Wisconsin.

Muskie and hybrid Muskie have both been stocked in this lake numerous times and though not abundant, it is not uncommon to catch one either. These stockings occurred years ago and no stocking of Muskies has occurred in the past 25 years.

Northern pike are also present, especially in river backwaters, and though not abundant in the lake, they will show up on the end of your line from time to time.