Lake Wissota

Lake Wissota

Size
4834ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Wissota
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Lake Wissota Overview

In northwestern Wisconsin, just east of Chippewa Falls and north of Highway 29.

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

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

Special Species Regulations

  • 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.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • 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.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: 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.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Lake sturgeon: September 7, 2024 to September 30, 2024: All sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered. The minimum length is 60” and season limit is 1 fish.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 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.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.

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.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Welcome to onX Fish

Start using onX Fish in Minnesota & Wisconsin today.

Fish Species

Bluegill
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
2019
Apr
2019
May
Channel 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
2017
Oct
2018
Oct
Crappie
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
2019
Apr
2019
May
Flathead 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
2015
Apr
2017
Oct
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.42
0Statewide Range102.12

Lake Wissota 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
2019
Oct
2021
Oct
Muskellunge
fish
20-26 in
Length Range
23 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.6
0Statewide Range6.49

Lake Wissota 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
2022
Oct
2023
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized flathead-catfish based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201542
Northern pike
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
2018
Oct
2019
Apr
Perch
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
2019
Apr
2019
May
Pumpkinseed
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
Rock 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
2015
Apr
2015
May
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
8.33
0Statewide Range29.72

Lake Wissota 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
2019
Oct
2021
Oct
Sturgeon
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
2015
Apr
Walleye
fish
8-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
376.25
0Statewide Range105.87

Lake Wissota 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
2022
Oct
2023
Oct