51 public waters in the South Central region — 29 lakes/reservoirs and 22 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Wisconsin licence.
See every public fishing venue in Wisconsin on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Columbia and Sauk Counties, Wisconsin — Lake Wisconsin is a 7,207-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
In Columbia County, Wisconsin, Mud Lake is a 818-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Crystal Lake, a 526-acre lake in Dane and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Swan Lake is a 408-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Lake Columbia, a 379-acre lake in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Park Lake (330 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
French Creek Wildlife Area Pool Number 2, a 286-acre managed lake in Columbia County near the Fox Valley, holds largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. The larger size and pike presence make this pool a step up for anglers seeking more diverse predator fishing in the region.
Lazy Lake (206 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
In Dane and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin, Fish Lake is a 199-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Dates Millpond Lake (188 acres) sits in Columbia and Marquette Counties, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
This 155-acre Columbia County millpond in the Fox Valley & Lakeshore zone is anchored by walleye and yellow perch, with rock bass, largemouth bass, and bullhead adding diversity. Dates Millpond's historical mill infrastructure and mixed panfish-and-predator layout make it a distinctive regional option.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Schoeneberg Marsh Lake is a 100-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Wyona Lake (96 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Amey Pond (72 acres) sits in Adams and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin, managed by State Department of Natural Resources. A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Silver Lake, a 48-acre lake in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Lake George (38 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Weeting Lake is a 34-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Cuff Lake (33 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Corning Lake is a compact 29.6-acre pond in Columbia County's West Central region, managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Largemouth bass and panfish make up the core fishery, offering solid shallow-water opportunity for anglers targeting smaller impoundments.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Spring Lake is a 27-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Tarrant Lake (24 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing). A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Hawkos Pond, a 24-acre lake in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Willow Mill Pond in Columbia County's South Central region stands out for its exceptional species diversity cramped into just 21.6 acres: walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, white perch, bowfin, and pumpkinseed. This eclectic mix—particularly the musky and bowfin presence—gives Willow Mill Pond unusual character for a small pond fishery.
In Columbia County, Wisconsin, French Creek Wildlife Area Pool Number 1 is a 21-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Figors Mill Flowage (21 acres) sits in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Columbia County, Wisconsin, Breneman Lake is a 18-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
West Lake, a 18-acre lake in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
Indian trails fishing pond, a 17-acre lake in Columbia County, Wisconsin, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Crandalls Bay is a 6-acre lake, managed by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (public boat landing): A southern-Wisconsin lake (the Madison chain, Delavan, Geneva, Koshkonong, Beulah) — warmer, fertile, often surrounded by farmland and development. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill and Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish and Carp, with Walleye stocked in several.
The Wisconsin River — the state's namesake river, 430 miles from Lac Vieux Desert to the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and channel and Flathead Catfish, with a wide, sandy, island-braided 'Wisconsin River delta' character below Wisconsin Dells.
The lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay — one of the best spring Walleye runs in the Midwest at the De Pere dam, plus Sauger, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Lake Sturgeon and Freshwater Drum. Highly urbanised (Appleton, Neenah, Green Bay) but a genuinely great fishery.
Baraboo River (125 km) flows through Sauk, Juneau, Columbia and 1 more county in Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Dodge, Columbia and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, Crawfish River is a 116 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Marquette, Columbia and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, Neenah Creek is a 29 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
North Branch Crawfish River runs 50 km through Columbia County, Wisconsin: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Maunesha River (36 km) flows through Dane, Jefferson, Dodge and 1 more county in Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Rocky Run runs 2 km through Columbia County, Wisconsin: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — North Branch Duck Creek is a 19 km stream: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Rowan Creek (18 km) flows through Columbia County, Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Duck Creek (27 km) flows through Columbia County, Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Middle Branch Duck Creek (14 km) flows through Columbia County, Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Columbia and Sauk Counties, Wisconsin, Rowley Creek is a 14 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Beaver Creek runs 10 km through Dodge and Columbia Counties, Wisconsin: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Columbia and Dane Counties, Wisconsin — Spring Creek is a 1 km stream: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Columbia and Marquette Counties, Wisconsin, French Creek is a 5 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Columbia County, Wisconsin — Jennings Creek is a 10 km stream: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Robbins Creek runs 14 km through Columbia County, Wisconsin: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Columbia County, Wisconsin, Sand Spring Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Hinkson Creek runs 7 km through Columbia County, Wisconsin: A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Big Slough (7 km) flows through Columbia and Marquette Counties, Wisconsin. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
In Columbia County, Wisconsin, Prentice Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Wisconsin river (the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica, Crawfish, Bark, Milwaukee, Root, La Crosse, Baraboo, Eau Claire) — smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass and Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR landings, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Columbia County holds 24 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Common Carp and Smallmouth Bass.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Wisconsin map Join PiscaMapsOne Wisconsin DNR fishing licence covers every public water in the state, inland trout streams and the Great Lakes included — the resident annual is about $20, the non-resident annual about $65, with non-resident 1-day, 4-day and 15-day licences sold. Wisconsin residents 65 and older can buy a low-cost licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at GoWild.wi.gov.