47 public waters in the Driftless Area region — 11 lakes/reservoirs and 36 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.
Blackhawk Lake, a 228-acre impoundment in Iowa's Driftless Area, offers solid mixed-bag fishing with walleye, northern pike, and both largemouth and smallmouth bass as primary targets. Yellow perch and bluegill round out the panfish bite, making it a reliable choice for anglers seeking variety in this scenic region.
In Iowa County, Wisconsin, Black Hawk Lake is a 213-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 Iowa County, Wisconsin, Twin Valley Lake is a 136-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.
Straddling the Iowa–Wisconsin border in the Driftless Area, Avoca Lake spans 92 acres and offers a mixed warm-water fishery managed by Wisconsin DNR. Walleye and northern pike join largemouth bass and bluegill panfish, giving anglers diverse options across this scenic pastoral landscape.
In Iowa County, Wisconsin, Cox Hollow Lake is a 82-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.
Set in Iowa's Driftless Area, Ludden Lake spans 51 acres and holds a well-rounded warmwater fishery anchored by walleye and yellow perch, with both bass species providing excellent shallow-water action. Black crappie and bluegill fill out the panfish bite throughout the season.
Goodwiler Lake (23 acres) sits in Iowa 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.
Iowa County, Wisconsin — Taliesin Pond is a 15-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.
Deacon Thomas Lake, a 15-acre lake in Sauk and Iowa 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.
Birch Lake (11 acres) sits in Iowa 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.
Iowa County, Wisconsin — Halverson Lake is a 10-acre lake, 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.
Pecatonica River (162 km) flows through Lafayette, Iowa and Green 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.
East Branch Pecatonica River (94 km) flows through Lafayette and Iowa 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.
Platte River runs 63 km through Grant and Iowa 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 Grant and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin, Blue River is a 46 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 Iowa County, Wisconsin, Mill Creek is a 16 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.
Black Earth Creek near Madison — a Driftless Area limestone spring creek and one of the best-known Wild Brown Trout fisheries close to a major city, restored through decades of habitat and land-use work. Technical, weedy, clear water.
Yellowstone River (41 km) flows through Lafayette and Iowa 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.
Gordon Creek runs 24 km through Iowa, Dane and Lafayette 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.
Iowa and Lafayette Counties, Wisconsin — Mineral Point Branch is a 36 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.
Dodge Branch runs 37 km through Iowa 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.
Iowa County, Wisconsin — Sudan Branch is a 21 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.
Kittleson Valley Creek (14 km) flows through Dane and Iowa 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.
Blue Mounds Creek runs 12 km through Iowa and Sauk 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.
Trout Creek (11 km) flows through Iowa 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.
Iowa County, Wisconsin — Flint Creek is a 12 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.
Sneed Creek (12 km) flows through Iowa 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.
Iowa and Grant Counties, Wisconsin — Big Spring Branch is a 12 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.
Marsh Creek (3 km) flows through Iowa and Richland 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.
Pompey Pillar Creek runs 10 km through Iowa 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.
Iowa and Grant Counties, Wisconsin — Big Rock Branch 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.
Laxey Creek runs 9 km through Iowa 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.
Sauk and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin — Wilson Creek is a 11 km stream: A Driftless Area spring creek in southwest Wisconsin (Timber Coulee, Black Earth Creek, the Kickapoo tributaries) — cold, clear, spring-fed limestone water with wild brown and Brook Trout, restored through decades of habitat work. Classic technical dry-fly and nymph fishing in rolling, unglaciated coulee country.
Lowery Creek runs 9 km through Iowa 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 Iowa and Grant Counties, Wisconsin, Sixmile Branch is a 9 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.
Morrey Creek (11 km) flows through Iowa 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.
West Branch Blue Mounds Creek (10 km) flows through Iowa 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 Grant and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin, Sand Branch is a 9 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 Iowa County, Wisconsin, Dickinson 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.
In Lafayette and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin, Canon 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.
Iowa County, Wisconsin — Smoky Hollow Creek is a 8 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.
Conley Lewis Creek (8 km) flows through Iowa 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.
McClintock Creek runs 8 km through Lafayette and Iowa 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.
Smith Conley Creek runs 7 km through Iowa 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 Iowa County, Wisconsin, Olson Creek is a 7 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.
Harker Creek (7 km) flows through Iowa 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.
Otter Creek (28 km) flows through Iowa 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.
Across its mapped waters, Iowa County holds 23 species on PiscaMaps, including Bluegill, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, 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.