Lake Wisconsin
Sauk, Columbia County, Wisconsin
About Lake Wisconsin
Lake Wisconsin earns its reputation as one of Sauk, Columbia County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 7,197 acres with a maximum depth of 24 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, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.37100° N, 89.60310° W
WBIC 1260600 · 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.
- ·Trout hold in the deepest, coolest water during summer. Early morning stillwater fishing or bottom rigs near spring seeps is productive.
- ·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 Wisconsin has limited visibility and a mixed bottom, making it generally good for swimming with gradual entry in most areas. With 7,197 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Lake Wisconsin are coming soon. Know a great spot near Lake Wisconsin? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Sauk, Columbia County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Lake Wisconsin is one of Sauk, Columbia 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 Wisconsin 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, Purple Loosestrife, 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
Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin?
Lake Wisconsin is home to Catfish, Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish, Smallmouth Bass (Common), Trout, and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Wisconsin?
Yes — Lake Wisconsin has 13 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Wisconsin?
Lake Wisconsin has 7,197 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 24 feet.
Are there invasive species in Lake Wisconsin?
Yes — Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin located?
Lake Wisconsin is located in Sauk, Columbia County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.3710° N, 89.6031° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Wisconsin?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Sauk, Columbia County lakes. Check our Lake Wisconsin vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Sauk, Columbia County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Wisconsin
| 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 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60" and season limit is 1 fish. | — |
| 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 | Open All Year | 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 possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | Open All Year | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 28" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 28" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 1260600
- County
- Sauk, Columbia County
- Surface Area
- 7,197 acres
- Max Depth
- 24 ft
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 43.3710, -89.6031
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Wisconsin? Let us know.
Boat Landings (13)
Town of Lodi · 608-592-4868
Town of Lodi · 608-592-4868
Town of Lodi · 608-592-4868
Town of Dekorra · 608-635-2014
Property Manager · (608) 575-3946
Property Manager · (608) 575-3946
Property Manager · (608) 575-3946
Town of Lodi · 608-592-4868
Parks & Recreation Department · (608) 546-5011
Town of West Point · 608-592-7059
Town of West Point · 608-592-7059
Property Manager · (608) 575-3946
Village of Merrimac · 608-493-2122
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.