Lake Poygan
Winnebago, Waushara County, Wisconsin
About Lake Poygan
Lake Poygan is a serious fishing destination in Winnebago, Waushara County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, covering 14,024 acres with a maximum depth of 11 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, Northern Pike, Panfish, Sturgeon, and Walleye. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Faucet Snail, Flowering Rush, Rusty Crayfish, Zebra Mussel) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
44.14620° N, 88.83920° W
WBIC 242800 · 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
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 Lake Poygan? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Lake Poygan — 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
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Faucet Snail, Flowering Rush, Rusty Crayfish, 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
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Flowering Rush and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Poygan. 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 Poygan?
Lake Poygan is home to Catfish (Abundant), Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky, Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Abundant), Smallmouth Bass, Sturgeon (Abundant), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Poygan?
Yes — Lake Poygan has 6 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Lake Poygan?
Lake Poygan has 14,024 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 11 feet.
What is the bottom of Lake Poygan like?
The lake bottom is composed of 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Lake Poygan?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Faucet Snail and Flowering Rush and Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel have been documented in Lake Poygan. 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 Poygan located?
Lake Poygan is located in Winnebago, Waushara County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 44.1462° N, 88.8392° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Lake Poygan?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Winnebago, Waushara County lakes. Check our Lake Poygan vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Winnebago, Waushara County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Lake Poygan
| 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
- 242800
- County
- Winnebago, Waushara County
- Surface Area
- 14,024 acres
- Max Depth
- 11 ft
- Bottom
- 30% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 60% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 44.1462, -88.8392
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Lake Poygan? 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.