Lake Waubesa

Lake Waubesa

Size
2080ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Waubesa
Bass
Bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Catfish
Catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White bass
Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass

Lake Waubesa Overview

Excellent bluegill and crappie fishing. Largemouth, walleye and northern pike round out the featured species.

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 Waterbody Regulations

  • Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.

Special Species Regulations

  • White perch: 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.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 15” and the daily bag limit is 3.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.

Features

Waubesa and Kegonsa were created by glacers that left their debris which damned the melting glacers and created the lakes 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. The present day Yahara River connects these two lakes with the other two lakes of the Yahara Chain Mendota and Monona. Early settlers referred to Lake Kegonsa as “First Lake” beause it was the first of the four Madison lakes they entcountered traveling north up the Yahara River. The name Kegonsa is attributed to the Ho-Chunk Indians who once lived in this area. Kegonsa means “Lake of Many Fishes.” Today Lake Kegonsa and Lake Waubesa are two of the most productive lakes in Wisconsin. For fisherman looking for a mixed bag of fish these lakes offer the opportunity to catch everything from musky, bass, northern pike, crappie, perch and bluegill. In the summer Lake Waubesa sees a lot of fishing pressure due to tournaments being held on the lake. Lake Waubesa ranks 10th in the state as a fishing destination for its for such species as walleye.

Forage

The primary forage make up of forage in the lake is shiners, suckers and juvenile panfish species that allow for a healthy large population of fish species.

Seasonal Movements

Up stream migrations occur during the spring spawning period by walleye and, to a lesser extent, by northern and crappie.
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Fish Species

Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Bluegill
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
348.94
0Statewide Range764.78

Lake Waubesa Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201710
Catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
6
0Statewide Range80.53

Lake Waubesa Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2019
May
2021
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201710
Largemouth bass
fish
7-21 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
66.32
0Statewide Range133.83

Lake Waubesa Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Muskellunge
fish
24-25 in
Length Range
25 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.04
0Statewide Range6.49

Lake Waubesa Muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201710
Northern pike
fish
10-26 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
7.77
0Statewide Range15.56

Lake Waubesa Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Perch
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2021
May
2022
May
Pumpkinseed
fish
5-7 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
17.02
0Statewide Range85.42

Lake Waubesa Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Rock bass
fish
8-9 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
4.26
0Statewide Range64.11

Lake Waubesa Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2017
Apr
2022
May
Smallmouth bass
fish
10-11 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.52
0Statewide Range29.72

Lake Waubesa Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-23 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
15.03
0Statewide Range105.87

Lake Waubesa Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
White bass
fish
10-17 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
7.77
0Statewide Range6.96

Lake Waubesa White bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

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
2021
May
2022
May
Yellow Bass
fish
6-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2019
May
2022
May