Lake Winnebago Information

Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin:

Lake Winnebago is a shallow freshwater lake located entirely in the state of Wisconsin. It’s positioned between Green Bay and Milwaukee, but closer to Green Bay. The north shore of Lake Winnebago has the city of Menasha. Oshkosh is located centrally on the west shore. And Fond du Lac is located on it’s southern shores.

Captain Kirk lives in Menasha Wisconsin but often guides out of Oshkosh.

Here are some Lake Winnebago facts. It’s a shallow lake for its size. 21 feet is the deepest spot on the lake. It’s about 10 miles wide at its widest spot east to west and it’s about 30 miles long running North to South. Its average depth is 15.5 feet. It has about 88 miles of shoreline.

Captain Kirk fishes and guides on Lake Winnebago’s west shore. The west shore has many shallow reefs which can be great for casting jig and plastic combinations for walleyes and more. The best fishing is June, July and August with parts of September being good as well.

The Wolf River and The Fox River are the two primary tributaries of the lake. They combine at Lake Butte des Morts in Oshkosh.

Choose Captain Kirk as your Lake Winnebago system fishing guide.

The Fox flows south east through Oshkosh and into Lake Winnebago on the central west shore. And the Fox flows north out of the north west end of the lake into Little Lake Butte des Morts in Menasha. Eventually it enters into Green Bay. Because the Winnebago system lakes and rivers are connected to the great lakes (Lake Michigan) it is a federal waterway. In order to guide on the Winnebago system lakes and rivers one must have a captain’s license from the Coast Guard.

The Wolf River flows into lake Poygan which is connected to Lake Winneconne which is connected to Lake Butte des Morts which connects to the Fox and then finally to Lake Winnebago. The Wolf River is a hot spot in early spring for white bass and walleyes. It can also be a fun fishing river in the fall up until ice up. Although you’ll often catch fewer fish in the fall, Captain Kirk likes the serenity Fall offers. 

More Fun Facts

Because the lake is so shallow people often wonder if it’s man made. Nope, it’s not. Its level was raised by about 3 feet by two dams on either side of Doty Island in Neenah. They were erected in 1850 and 1930. The lake level is now regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It’s regulated for flood control but also to reduce ice damage to private property, and to release water for hydropower.

A system of 17 locks connects Lake Winnebago to Lake Michigan at Green Bay. There is an elevation drop of around 150 feet. They start in Menasha and end in Green Bay. May of the locks are no longer maintained. The locks in Menasha are closed to help prevent the invasive fish called a goby from getting into Lake Winnebago.

Lake Winnebago is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state. Although it can be challenging to fish, it can be a good producer of walleye and white bass. Plus you could hook a freshwater drum, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, or even a sturgeon.

Contact Captain Dan Kirk for additional information about fishing Lake Winnebago.

Talk or Text: 920-722-1881