Size
4,834ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Lake Wissota
Walleye
Smallmouth bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Muskellunge
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Tiger muskellunge
Perch
Channel catfish
Flathead catfish
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Sturgeon
Overview
In northwestern Wisconsin, just east of Chippewa Falls and north of Highway 29.
Lake Wissota Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Species Regulations
- 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: September 5, 2026 to September 30, 2026: All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60” and season limit is 1 fish.
- 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: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length is 13”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 16” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. 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.
Features
Nestled in the northwestern portion of Wisconsin, Lake Wissota is located just east of Chippewa Falls, WI and north of Highway 29. The reservoir was created in 1915 to provide flood control and provide a source of hydroelectric power along the Chippewa River. The lake offers a number of shore fishing sites along Highway X and provides anglers many opportunities throughout the year. Lake Wissota State Park on the northeast end of the lake provides great camping facilities along with day-use areas. Boaters unfamiliar with the Chippewa River between Lake Wissota and Jim Falls Dam should exercise caution when navigating this area. Stumps, flooded timber and shallow rock bars pose serious navigational hazards.
Forage
Yellow perch, emerald shiners and a variety of other minnow species provide excellent forage for most species, especially walleye. Redhorse and suckers are heavily utilized by larger gamefish species, like the muskie and northern pike.
Seasonal Movements
Starting in late fall, walleye move up the Chippewa River and congregate below the Jim Falls Dam. Yellow River, Paint Creek and Stillson Creek experience a similar migration. During early spring, muskie and northern pike move into the major tributaries to spawn. A smaller, less-noted migration of walleye and muskies occurs in spring when muskie and walleye move downstream into the Chippewa Falls Flowage.
Weather
68°Feels like 68°
--
47°
--47°--
--
2 mph
North
0 in
Rain
30 inHg
Rising
SundaySu
-- / 47°
MondayMo
80° / 58°
TuesdayTu
84° / 62°
WednesdayWe
80° / 58°
ThursdayTh
81° / 53°
FridayFr
81° / 57°
Moon Phase
August 24, 2026
87% Illumination
waxing gibbous, getting brighter
MondayMo08/24
TuesdayTu08/25
WednesdayWe08/26
ThursdayTh08/27
FridayFr08/28
SaturdaySa08/29
SundaySu08/30
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Top Fish Species
Walleye
8-14 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2025
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
