Looking For A Lake or River

I am looking for a lake or river half way between Oshkosh Wisc. and Rochester Mn. Basicly looking for walleyes and panfish fishing bodies of water. My oldest son lives in Oshkosh and I am in Rochester. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Bill

Bill,

The Madison chain is pretty good for panfish. I believe Waubesa and Kegonsa are great for large perch, gills and crappie. Good numbers of walleye, but the can be hard to find them. Look for weed beds and fish about 8 foot of water, drifting. Also, In Dodgeville Cox Hollow can be dynamite for crappies. Should be real good in about a week with warmer weather. Fish suspended fish 8 to 15 feet with slip bobbers and minnows. Not uncommon to limit out with 10 to 12 inch fish in a few hours. If patient, you will limit with larger fish. Cox Hollow is an electric motor only lake however.

Crystal lake by Suak city is excellent if you want eater bass, great gills and crappie.

The petenwell flowage and castle rock lake can be very good for walleyes and panish. It can get shallow by the dam, and is very rocky, use caution first time out.

Lastly I would suggest Lake Wisconsin. This can be a very good walleye fishery in summer. Most troll for eyes and do very well. THis is a big body of water,a nd can be hard to figure out. A guide might be a good way to start.

I hope this helps Bill. I do not check this board very often. If you have question, please feel free to e-mail me. My addy is [email protected]

Bob Bramlett

Good Fishing!!!

are we missing the obvious? “Ole man river”? “Old Muddy” The mighty mississippi. Not sure on mileage from La Crosse to Oshkosh, but its gotta be close to halfway between.

I would suggest the hardest working river in the country, our namesake river, Wisconsin would be about half way if you met in Wausau or Stevens Point. All good water wherever you fish it!

Bill: The WI River is the ticket. Just off Hwy 21 you have the Petenwell and Castle Rock Flowages. Basically both big lakes made by dams. I have fished both. Pick up a hotspots map and go for it. Just a little over 2 hours from Roch and you can be on the water. Take the interstate to Oakdale and then Cty PP cut north to Hwy 21. Good eyes and crappies. Like Pepin in the warm months the weekends can be a zoo.

Bill:

I concur with bigpike & Sgt. Rock. I like Rock’s area of choice, I think it might be a little closer to Oshkosh, but if you’re looking for great water with big fish potential, this is it!!!

Mark

Sgt Rock is absolutely on with the Petenwell advice. Awesome lake!

Thanks guys. The Mississippi River was 50 miles closer towards me so that was out and I agree with your choices. Much appreciated.

Any certain areas I should fish on the Wisconsin River?

Thanks, Bill

I grew up on the rock and it’s a mad house on the weekends. ( Just like Lake Geneva) I would go to pete. and fish. This is a monster chunk of water but the walleye fishing is good, along with some monster cats. Let me know ahead of time and I could give u some pointers on where to look or start out. If u run up the the top of the lake there is some good river fishing when the wind is blowing.

In the LaCrosse area is Lake Onalaska [sp] the best spot for panfish? Is wood or weeds the best spot to fish? On the Wisconsin River where would be a good area for panfish? Looking for an area that 8-12 year old kids would enjoy the panfish bite as more action for them. Thanks.
Thanks, Bill

Lake Onalaska is dubbed the “Sunfish Capital of the World”. You can fish mostly weedlines and drop-offs into deeper water….There typically is plenty of action

Thanks Bud. Any size to them? My oldest son doesn’t fish much so I want to fish someplace with action for the kids and him. Wheres the closest ramp at? Never fished in that area yet. Thanks.
Thanks, Bill