Lake Koshkonong

Lake Koshkonong

Size
10,600ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Koshkonong
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Northern pike
Northern pike
Bluegill
Bluegill
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Sauger
Sauger
Crappie
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Brown trout
Brown trout
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
White bass
White bass
Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass

Overview

Best known for walleye, catfish and white bass. Spring runs on the river yield fantastic catches!

Lake Koshkonong 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 Waterbody Regulations

  • Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

  • Bluegill: See Panfish.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
  • Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: Open all year: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 3
  • 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
  • Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
  • White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
  • Smallmouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Largemouth bass: See Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: Open all year: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5
  • Northern pike: Open all year: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 3, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: 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
  • 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.
  • Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
  • Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
  • Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
  • Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
  • Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
  • Crappies: See Panfish.
  • Channel catfish: See Catfish.
  • Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
4-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2017
Nov
2018
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20189
201610
Brown trout
fish
6-7 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2006
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2006
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
2006
Mar
Channel catfish
fish
19-38 in
Length Range
30 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
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
2018
Apr
2021
Nov
Crappie
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2018
Apr
2018
Oct
Flathead catfish
fish
9-10 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2011
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2011
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
2009
Oct
2011
Oct
Largemouth bass
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Electro
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
2018
Apr
2018
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201820
201620
Muskellunge
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2018
Apr
2018
Oct
Northern pike
fish
19-38 in
Length Range
30 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.5
0Statewide Range16.72075

Lake Koshkonong 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
2018
Oct
2021
Nov
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized northern-pike based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201840
Perch
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2018
Apr
2018
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201812
201613
Pumpkinseed
fish
4-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2017
Nov
2018
Apr
Rock bass
fish
4-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2014
Oct
2018
Apr
Sauger
fish
8-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
2
0Statewide Range148.0184

Lake Koshkonong Sauger 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
2023
Nov
2024
Oct
Smallmouth bass
fish
12-14 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
Surveyed
Electro
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
2015
Oct
2016
Oct
Walleye
fish
8-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
17
0Statewide Range75.60845

Lake Koshkonong 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
2023
Nov
2024
Oct
White bass
fish
4-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Electro
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
2017
Nov
2018
Apr
Yellow Bass
fish
4-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
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
2017
Nov
2018
Apr