Where
Weeds, docks, lily pads and fallen trees in shallow water.
When
Early and late in the day; midday under docks and thick cover.
How
Plastic worms, frogs over weeds, spinnerbaits and jigs.
Best lakes for largemouth bass
From DNR data| # | Lake | Abundance | Acres | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake EmilyDodge County | Abundant · stocked | 268 | 9.0 |
| 2 | Beaver Dam LakeDodge County | Abundant | 6,718 | 8.4 |
| 3 | Round LakeSawyer County | Abundant | 3,294 | 8.4 |
| 4 | Lake ChetacSawyer County | Abundant | 2,400 | 8.3 |
| 5 | Chequamegon Waters FlowageTaylor County | Abundant | 2,366 | 8.3 |
| 6 | Lake WaubesaDane County | Abundant | 2,074 | 8.3 |
| 7 | Balsam LakePolk County | Abundant | 1,901 | 8.3 |
| 8 | Como LakeWalworth County | Abundant | 955 | 8.2 |
| 9 | Elizabeth LakeKenosha County | Abundant | 725 | 8.2 |
| 10 | Half Moon LakePolk County | Abundant | 550 | 8.1 |
| 11 | Potato LakeRusk County | Abundant | 540 | 8.1 |
| 12 | Powers LakeWalworth County | Abundant | 451 | 8.1 |
| 13 | Browns LakeRacine County | Abundant | 397 | 8.1 |
| 14 | Lake ColumbiaColumbia County | Abundant | 378 | 8.1 |
| 15 | Fish LakeBurnett County | Abundant | 330 | 8.0 |
| 16 | Mead LakeClark County | Abundant | 310 | 8.0 |
| 17 | Blueberry LakeSawyer County | Abundant | 292 | 8.0 |
| 18 | Tichigan LakeRacine County | Abundant | 279 | 8.0 |
| 19 | Little Cedar LakeWashington County | Abundant | 260 | 8.0 |
| 20 | Hart LakeBayfield County | Abundant | 257 | 8.0 |
| 21 | Lake KeesusWaukesha County | Abundant | 235 | 8.0 |
| 22 | Jordan LakeAdams County | Abundant | 233 | 8.0 |
| 23 | Sunset LakeVilas County | Abundant | 207 | 8.0 |
| 24 | Pleasant LakeWalworth County | Abundant | 145 | 7.9 |
| 25 | Center LakeKenosha County | Abundant | 126 | 7.9 |
| 26 | Grass LakeShawano County | Abundant | 90 | 7.8 |
| 27 | Cross LakeKenosha County | Abundant | 89 | 7.8 |
| 28 | Glen LakeSt Croix County | Abundant | 84 | 7.8 |
| 29 | Kusel LakeWaushara County | Abundant | 74 | 7.8 |
| 30 | Wallace LakeWashington County | Abundant | 54 | 7.8 |
| 31 | Little Elkhart LakeSheboygan County | Abundant | 52 | 7.8 |
| 32 | Miner LakeWaupaca County | Abundant | 39 | 7.7 |
| 33 | Park LakeColumbia County | Common · stocked | 330 | 7.5 |
| 34 | Kirby LakeBarron County | Common · stocked | 98 | 7.3 |
| 35 | Chapman LakeChippewa County | Common · stocked | 36 | 7.2 |
| 36 | Lake WinnebagoFond du Lac County | Common | 131,939 | 6.9 |
| 37 | Lake ChippewaSawyer County | Common | 14,593 | 6.9 |
| 38 | Lake PoyganWaushara County | Common | 14,024 | 6.9 |
| 39 | Lake MendotaDane County | Common | 9,781 | 6.9 |
| 40 | Lake Butte des MortsWinnebago County | Common | 8,581 | 6.9 |
| 41 | Lake WisconsinColumbia County | Common | 7,197 | 6.9 |
| 42 | Shawano LakeShawano County | Common | 6,215 | 6.9 |
| 43 | Lake WinneconneWinnebago County | Common | 4,553 | 6.9 |
| 44 | Lac Vieux DesertVilas County | Common | 4,017 | 6.9 |
| 45 | Pelican LakeOneida County | Common | 3,545 | 6.9 |
| 46 | Long LakeWashburn County | Common | 3,478 | 6.9 |
| 47 | Lake MononaDane County | Common | 3,359 | 6.9 |
| 48 | Lake KegonsaDane County | Common | 3,200 | 6.9 |
| 49 | Fox LakeDodge County | Common | 2,713 | 6.9 |
| 50 | Pewaukee LakeWaukesha County | Common | 2,437 | 6.8 |
Only lakes with finished pages are ranked. Score: how common the DNR says the fish is, recent stocking and lake size.
Season
Statewide, 2026–27| Largemouth bass (north, harvest) | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (north, harvest) | June 20, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Bass (south, harvest) | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
Lakes can differ. Each lake page shows its own size and bag limits. All seasons →