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Lake Winnebago

Winnebago & Fond du Lac & Calumet counties · warm-water, stained water

131,939Acres
21ftMax depth
20Public launches
LowWater clarity
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Today on Winnebago

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Best fishing times

All fish
GoodFairSlow
Best today…

Times by species available in Premium

Wind & weather

National Weather Service
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What Winnebago is best for

DNR data
WalleyeAbundant9.0
BluegillPanfish, abundant8.4
PerchPanfish, abundant8.4
CrappiePanfish, abundant8.4
SturgeonAbundant8.4
CatfishAbundant8.4
LargemouthCommon6.9
SmallmouthCommon6.9
MuskyPresent · stocked5.4
Northern pikePresent4.4
How we rate

Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.

Depth map

Wisconsin DNR

Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move.

✕ Deepest spot, 21 ftDNR survey map (PDF)

Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.

Rules on this lake

DNR · checked 2026-10-07
WalleyeNo minimum length limit and the daily bag is 3, only one of which may be a sauger or hybridOpen All YearOpen
Musky50" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open waterOpen
Northern pike26" min · 2 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027Open
Bass14" min · 5 a dayOpen All YearOpen
PanfishNo size limit · 25 a dayOpen All YearOpen
SturgeonNo fishingClosed
CatfishSee specific species regulations in this groupOpen All YearOpen
LicenseWisconsin fishing license. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here. How to buy one →
Full rules from the DNR

Launches & access

20 public
WaterEutrophic, low clarity
Parks13
Lake groupLake Winnebago Property Owners Association Inc Winnebago Lakes Council, Inc.

Stocking

DNR records
2024
1,501 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.4"
2021
2,491 muskellunge large fingerling, 10.45"
2012
2 lake sturgeon yearling, 13.7"
2010
252,000 sauger fry, 0.13"

The DNR has 2 fish surveys on file for this lake.

Before you go

DNR
How often it's safe to eat

This is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.

Eat any amount Bluegill and Sunfish, Bullheads, Crappies, Inland Trout, Yellow Perch

Up to 1 meal a week Bass, Catfish, Pike, Walleye, All Other Species and Sizes

Up to 1 meal a month Muskies

Statewide advice; no lake-specific advisory. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR details
Invasive species here

Asiatic Clam (Corbicula) · Chinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Eurasian Water-Milfoil · Faucet Snail · Flowering Rush · Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil · Phragmites (non-native) · Purple Loosestrife · Rusty Crayfish · Spiny Waterflea · Zebra Mussel

Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.

Winnebago board

Catches & reports

Lakes near Winnebago

Within 25 miles
LakeMilesAcresMax depth
Lake Butte des MortsWinnebago128,8579 ft
Little Lake Butte Des MortsWinnebago13.71,30618 ft
Wolf LakeFond du Lac14.67647 ft
Hogers BayouWinnebago18.1514 ft
Lake WinneconneWinnebago18.24,5079 ft
Bullhead LakeManitowoc19.46740 ft
DeNeveu LakeFond du Lac19.77967 ft
Long LakeManitowoc20.312038 ft

Winnebago questions

How deep is Lake Winnebago?

Lake Winnebago is 21 feet at its deepest. It covers 131,939 acres.

What fish are in Lake Winnebago?

The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (abundant), walleye (abundant), sturgeon (abundant), catfish (abundant), largemouth bass (common), smallmouth bass (common), musky (present) and northern pike (present).

Where is the boat launch on Lake Winnebago?

There are 20 public launches: Black Wolf - Nagy Park Landing Hwy 45 Fish Survey, Brothertown Harbor Off Cty H, Oshkosh - Doemel Point Access - Murdock & Menominee, Stockbridge - Ecker Lakeland Dr., Fond Du Lac - Lakeside West Park - Supple Marsh, Oshkosh - Mill Street Access, Vinland - Grundman Park - Osh-O-Nee, Calumet - Columbia Park, Highway 45 Wayside Park Boat Ramp, Nagy Point boat landing Lake Winnebago, Columbia Park Boat Access, Oshkosh - Fugleburg Park, Fishermans Park / Taycheedah, Oshkosh - Menominee Park, Oshkosh - Asylum Point / Sherman Rd, Sherwood - High Cliff State Park, Oshkosh - Otter Street/ Ceape Ave - Carry-In Access, Neenah - South Park Ave. Rec Park, Oshkosh - 24th Street Access and Calumet County Boat Launch.

Do I need a trout stamp to fish Lake Winnebago?

A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.

What is the walleye limit on Lake Winnebago?

No minimum length limit and the daily bag is 3, only one of which may be a sauger or hybrid. Season: Open All Year.

Is Lake Winnebago stocked?

Yes. In 2024 the DNR and partners stocked 1,501 muskellunge (large fingerling).

Fish it longer

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Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-07.