35 public waters in the West Central region — 10 lakes/reservoirs and 25 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.
In Pepin and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin, Lake Pepin is a 25,496-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.
Dead Slough Lake, a 458-acre lake in Pierce 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.
Mud Lake, a 273-acre lake in Pierce 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.
St. Croix and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin — Lake George is a 135-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.
Gantenbein Lake, a 122-acre Pierce County water in West Central Wisconsin, stands out for its unique species mix: panfish and walleye are joined by sauger and shovelnose sturgeon, making it one of the more distinctive fisheries in the region. This larger lake offers depth and diversity for anglers seeking something beyond the typical warmwater mix.
Nugget Lake in Pierce County's West Central region checks in at 120 acres and offers a walleye fishery alongside largemouth bass and bluegill. The presence of walleye distinguishes this water from many regional peers and attracts anglers targeting deeper structure.
Pierce County, Wisconsin — Goose Lake is a 117-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 Pierce County, Wisconsin, Nugget Lake is a 117-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 Louise (18 acres) sits in Pierce 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.
Trenton Slough, a 15-acre lake in Pierce 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.
The Mississippi River along Wisconsin's western border — a series of Corps navigation pools full of backwaters, sloughs and wing dams. Walleye and Sauger below the dams, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish in the backwaters, and trophy flathead, channel and Blue Catfish. Lake Sturgeon and Paddlefish are present; a genuinely great multi-species river.
Burnett, Polk, Douglas and 2 more counties in Wisconsin — Saint Croix River is a 240 km stream: A Wisconsin border river (the St. Croix, Menominee, Montreal, Wolf) — shared with Minnesota or Michigan, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye and Northern Pike, with channel and Flathead Catfish lower down. Fished on a Wisconsin or the neighbouring state's licence within the reciprocal boundary-water zone.
Eau Galle River runs 48 km through St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce 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.
St. Croix and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin — Kinnickinnic River is a 65 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.
Rush River (57 km) flows through Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin. 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.
In Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, Trimbelle River is a 47 km river or creek. 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.
Pierce and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin — Plum Creek is a 30 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.
Hay Creek (4 km) flows through Pierce 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.
Cannon River runs through Pierce 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 Dunn, Pierce and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin, Missouri Creek is a 19 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.
Pierce County, Wisconsin — Isabelle Creek is a 20 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.
St. Croix, Pierce and Dunn Counties, Wisconsin — Cady Creek is a 18 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.
Pierce County, Wisconsin — Lost Creek is a 16 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.
Cave Creek (16 km) flows through Pierce 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 Pierce County, Wisconsin, Big River is a 21 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.
Little Trimbelle Creek (14 km) flows through Pierce 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 Pepin and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin, Bogus Creek is a 12 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 Pepin and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin, Arkansaw Creek is a 12 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.
South Fork Kinnickinnic River (12 km) flows through Pierce and St. Croix 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 Dunn and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin, Little Missouri Creek is a 11 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.
Goose Creek (10 km) flows through Pierce 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.
Bullard Creek (6 km) flows through Pierce 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 Pepin and Pierce Counties, Wisconsin, Porcupine Creek is a 10 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.
Wind River (14 km) flows through Pierce 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 Pierce County, Wisconsin, Vermillion Slough 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.
Across its mapped waters, Pierce County holds 26 species on PiscaMaps, including Walleye, Bluegill, 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.