Lake Winnebago
Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County, Wisconsin
About Lake Winnebago
Lake Winnebago is a serious fishing destination in Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 131,939 acres with a maximum depth of 21 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, Sturgeon, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (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) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.01680° N, 88.40960° W
WBIC 131100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Lake Winnebago has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 131,939 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Lake Winnebago are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Winnebago? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Lake Winnebago is one of Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Lake Winnebago that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
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
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Asiatic Clam (Corbicula) and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Flowering Rush and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Phragmites (non-native) and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Spiny Waterflea and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Winnebago. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Lake Winnebago?
Lake Winnebago is home to Catfish (Abundant), Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish (Abundant), Smallmouth Bass (Common), Sturgeon (Abundant), and Walleye (Abundant). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Winnebago?
Yes — Lake Winnebago has 18 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Winnebago?
Lake Winnebago has 131,939 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 21 feet.
Are there invasive species in Lake Winnebago?
Yes — Asiatic Clam (Corbicula) and Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Flowering Rush and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Phragmites (non-native) and Purple Loosestrife and Rusty Crayfish and Spiny Waterflea and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Winnebago. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Lake Winnebago located?
Lake Winnebago is located in Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.0168° N, 88.4096° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Winnebago?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County lakes. Check our Lake Winnebago vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Winnebago
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | See specific species regulations in this group. | — |
| Channel Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25 in total, but only 24 if one flathead catfish is included. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Flathead Catfish | May 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | The minimum length is 30, but flathead catfish from 36" to 42" may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Sauger And Hybrids | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag is 3, only one of which may be a sauger or hybrid. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 131100
- County
- Fond du Lac, Calumet, Winnebago County
- Surface Area
- 131,939 acres
- Max Depth
- 21 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.0168, -88.4096
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Winnebago? Let us know.
Boat Landings (18)
24th Avenue Boat Launch
Boat RampParks & Forestry Division · (920) 236-5080
Asylum Point Park & Boat Landing
Boat RampParks Department · (920) 232-1960
Brothertown Harbor
Boat RampCalument County Parks Dept. · (920) 439-1008
Calumet County Park Access
Boat RampCalumet County Parks Dept. · (920) 439-1008
Columbia Park Boat Launch
Boat RampParks & Trails Dept. · (920) 929-3135
Ecker Lakeland Road Access
Boat RampTown of Brothertown · 920-418-0949
Fisherman's Park Boat Ramp
Boat RampFisherman's Road Fishing Club · NA
Fugleburg Park Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks & Forestry Division · (920) 236-5080
Grundman Park Boat Landing
Boat RampParks Department · (920) 232-1960
High Cliff State Park Marina
Boat RampHigh Cliff State Park · (920) 989-1106
Hwy 45 Wayside Park Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks & Trails Dept. · (920) 929-3135
Lakeside Park - West Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks Division · (920) 322-3592
Menominee Park Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks & Forestry Division · (920) 236-5080
Mill Street Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks & Forestry Division · (920) 236-5080
Nagy Park/Black Wolf Boat Landing
Boat RampParks Department · (920) 232-1960
Recreation Park Boat Ramp
Boat RampParks & Recreation Department · (920) 886-6060
Doemel Point Access
Carry-in OnlyLake Winnebago Access
Carry-in OnlyLake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.