Lake Onalaska
La Crosse County, Wisconsin
About Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska earns its reputation as one of La Crosse County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 8,391 acres with a maximum depth of 40 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Faucet Snail, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Water Hyacinth, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.90500° N, 91.29930° W
WBIC 728100 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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 Onalaska has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 8,391 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Lake Onalaska are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Onalaska? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near La Crosse County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Lake Onalaska is one of La Crosse 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 Onalaska 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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Faucet Snail, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Water Hyacinth, Yellow Iris
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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Water Hyacinth and Yellow Iris have been documented in Lake Onalaska. 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 Onalaska?
Lake Onalaska is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Abundant), Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Onalaska?
Yes — Lake Onalaska has 7 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Onalaska?
Lake Onalaska has 8,391 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 40 feet, a mean depth of 6 feet.
Are there invasive species in Lake Onalaska?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Water Hyacinth and Yellow Iris have been documented in Lake Onalaska. 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 Onalaska located?
Lake Onalaska is located in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.9050° N, 91.2993° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Onalaska?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for La Crosse County lakes. Check our Lake Onalaska vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby La Crosse County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Onalaska
Regulation data is not available for this lake. Check with the Wisconsin DNR for current season rules before fishing.
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 728100
- County
- La Crosse County
- Surface Area
- 8,391 acres
- Max Depth
- 40 ft
- Mean Depth
- 6 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 43.9050, -91.2993
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Onalaska? Let us know.
Boat Landings (7)
Parks & Recreation Dept. · 608-789-7557
Town of Campbell · 608-783-0050
Town of Onalaska · 608-783-4958
Town of Onalaska · 608-783-4958
Facilities Department · 608-785-9770
Town of Campbell · 608-783-0050
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.