Best Places to Fish in Wisconsin: Wisconsin River (Below Wisconsin Dells Dam)
The Wisconsin River below the Dells Dam is well known throughout the Midwest for its undeveloped shoreline and unique, scenic cliffs. Lake Delton and the Wisconsin Dells area itself contain many tourist attractions that draw large numbers of visitors each year. There are many resorts and a variety of lodging types available.
Tour boats utilize this section of the river from late spring through late fall. Boating activity can be extremely heavy during the tourist season and can be a hindrance to anglers. Successful anglers concentrate on the early morning and evening hours for the best results.
That said, this stretch of the Wisconsin River can be one of the hottest spots for early season walleye! In addition, anglers have the opportunity to fish for a wide variety of other species including, but not limited to northern pike, smallmouth bass, sauger, white bass, catfish, freshwater drum, and lake sturgeon.
Interactive Lake Map
For a more detailed lake map and up to the minute fishing reports follow the Wisconsin River (Below Wisconsin Dells Dam) waterway page on Fishidy.
Here are some tips for locating and catching walleye on this stretch of the river:
- Early season walleye and sauger fishing is focused below the Wisconsin Dells Dam. Fast current and cold water temperatures require slow and accurate presentations. Weather and water levels can be volatile in spring. The best fishing occurs during periods of stable water levels and gradual increases in water temperatures.
- Lindy Rigs or small jigs tipped with small fathead minnows should be worked vertically off current breaks or along the shallow edges of rock shelves. Stinger hooks on jigs will increase the hooking percentages on light biters in early spring.
- When water temperatures reach the mid 40’s, jig and Twister Tail combinations are good producers. Chartreuse and purple are two favored tail colors at this time. Scented plastics, such as Berkley Power Grubs, have been reported by some anglers to produce more fish.
- Shoreline areas can hold trophy walleye at night during spring and high-water periods. Casting a 1/2-ounce jig tipped with a Sassy Shad along the current breaks will produce the most consistent action.
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By late spring, fish are attracted to sand flats, drop-offs and rocky shoreline points. Sauger prefer the deeper water, while walleye can be found shallow. Jig and live bait combinations should be worked tight to shallow cover to catch walleye. Lindy Rigs tipped with live bait will produce sauger in deeper water.
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