Best Places to Fish in Wisconsin: Lake DuBay
By Jon Giacalone
Fishidy
The man-made Lake DuBay north of Stevens Point was created in the early 1940s by a dam built across the Wisconsin River. The main purposes of the reservoir were to provide hydroelectric power generation and flood control, but today the lake offers many recreational opportunities. An excellent walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish fishery exists. Anglers also can find good numbers of catfish and quality-sized muskie and northern pike. White bass recently have been found in the lake and are starting to provide exciting action!
Boaters not familiar with the lake should navigate with caution. Numerous stumps, flooded timber and floating debris are unmarked. Many shallow water humps rise abruptly from deep water and are often well out from shore. Most of these hazards also are unmarked. The local Lions Club marks the upper portion of the main channel with navigation buoys. These markers change location from year to year and typically are placed only in place during summer months.
Interactive Lake Map
For a more detailed lake map and up-to-the-minute fishing reports, follow the Lake DuBay waterway page on Fishidy.
Here are some tips for locating and catching fish in Lake DuBay:
- Jig and minnow combinations are effective for walleye in summer as fish shift to the edges of flats along deep channels and to sand flats covered with stumps. Minnows around four to five inches in length will bring consistent catches.
- While many traditional walleye waters have a good low light period bite, bright sunny days can produce good catches on Lake DuBay. Walleye can be caught shallow during most of the year as a result of the tinted watercolor. Don’t be afraid to fish in less deep spots.
- For smallmouth bass, areas exposed to current will hold more fish compared to rocky spots in slack water, especially in summer. Crayfish-colored crankbaits and spinnerbaits are effective. Jigs tipped with twister tails, minnows, or crawlers all will produce.
- Summer muskie will inhabit the old river channels. Fish will suspend over 12 to 17 feet of water. Short line trolling with crankbaits can be an effective method to cover water and catch fish. Crankbaits like depthraiders, cisco kids and magnum rapalas should be used in perch, chartreuse and yellow.
- Summer is the best time to catch big bluegill. Look for fish in the root systems of the numerous stumps present in the lake. Nightcrawlers tipped on a small wire hook should be fished below a small bobber. Stumps in 8 to 12 feet of water will hold the most fish.
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