Geneva Lake
Walworth County, Wisconsin
About Geneva Lake
Geneva Lake earns its reputation as one of Walworth County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 5,401 acres with a maximum depth of 135 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers primarily target Smallmouth Bass. Note that invasive species (Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Quagga Mussel, Rusty Crayfish, Starry Stonewort, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 95% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SPRING
Lake Location
42.56510° N, 88.50360° W
WBIC 758300 · 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
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Geneva Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Geneva Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Quagga Mussel, Rusty Crayfish, Starry Stonewort, Yellow Iris, Zebra Mussel
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Banded Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Quagga Mussel and Rusty Crayfish and Starry Stonewort and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Geneva Lake. 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 Geneva Lake?
Geneva Lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass (Abundant), Trout, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Geneva Lake?
Yes — Geneva Lake has 6 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Geneva Lake?
Geneva Lake has 5,401 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 135 feet, a mean depth of 61 feet.
What is the bottom of Geneva Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 95% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Geneva Lake?
Yes — Banded Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Quagga Mussel and Rusty Crayfish and Starry Stonewort and Yellow Iris and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Geneva Lake. 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 Geneva Lake located?
Geneva Lake is located in Walworth County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 42.5651° N, 88.5036° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Geneva Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Walworth County lakes. Check our Geneva Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Walworth County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Geneva Lake
| 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 | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | 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 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| 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 | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and 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
- 758300
- County
- Walworth County
- Surface Area
- 5,401 acres
- Max Depth
- 135 ft
- Mean Depth
- 61 ft
- Bottom
- 95% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 42.5651, -88.5036
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Geneva Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (6)
Boat Landing 1
Boat Landing 2
Boat Landing 3
Boat Landing 4
Boat Landing 5
Boat Landing 6
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.