WI · ranked by public data

Best Largemouth Bass Lakes in Wisconsin, by DNR Survey System and Lake-Scale Opportunity

Largemouth bass are Wisconsin's most widespread gamefish, thriving in weedy natural lakes and flowages in every corner of the state. Catch-and-release habits and warming summers have quietly made Wisconsin bass fishing better than it has ever been.

1,262 Wisconsin lakes have a DNR largemouth bass status record. 918 lakes with status, survey, or report evidence met our size and public-access criteria (344 excluded for no verified public access). Updated July 2026.

1,262lakes with largemouth bass

9with a DNR fishing forecast

Lake Winnebagobiggest at 131,939 acres

Vilas Countymost evidence-qualified lakes (94)

Methodology

How we rank Wisconsin largemouth bass lakes

Catch-per-effort ranks compare only lakes measured for the same species with the same survey phase, gear, unit, and sampled population. Final whole-lake adult-density estimates use one standardized density system. Every system with at least two eligible lakes restarts at #1; a fyke-net #1 is not claimed to beat a density #1.

Lake-scale opportunity · 55% — survey rate × documented acreage, compared only inside the same system.
Survey rate · 30% — the reported catch-per-effort value, normalized only inside its exact system.
Survey recency · 10% — newer DNR survey years receive a modest advantage inside the same system.
Species fishing report · 5% — a current report naming largemouth bass adds a small signal; reports for other species add nothing.
Measurement honesty — survey rate × acreage is a lake-scale opportunity index, never a literal fish count.
Eligibility gates — at least 50 official acres, verified public access, an exact lake identity, and all required comparison fields are mandatory.
Unscored context — DNR abundance labels, stocking, impairments, depth, landing count, and page completeness cannot move a numeric rank. Missing report or stocking coverage is not treated as a negative.

A lake can appear in more than one system when the DNR measured it more than one comparable way. Unsupported methods remain evidence only. Displayed score ties share a rank and use lake name only as a stable presentation order.

The evidence list

Wisconsin largemouth bass leaders by comparable survey system

Showing up to 25 lakes per survey system, plus an alphabetical documented-evidence section. Peer-backed systems restart at #1; singleton systems show no numeric rank.

Ranked within adult population density — ranks restart at 1
188.3system score
136 acres
Iowa County, WI
Twin Valley Lake
enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
43.02, -90.09136 acres | 32 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Musky
88.3 within-system score · ~4,175 estimated adults · 30.7 adult fish/acre · 2018 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 88.3/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 4,175 adult largemouth bass (30.7 adult fish/acre × 136 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 30.7 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2018
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2018 spring mark-recapture estimate and electrofishing
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR impairment (unscored context)
276.7system score
82 acres
Polk County, WI
Ward Lake
enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
45.61, -92.3282 acres | 43 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Northern Pike
76.7 within-system score · ~3,108 estimated adults · 37.9 fish/acre · 2021 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 76.7/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 3,108 adult largemouth bass (37.9 fish/acre × 82 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 37.9 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2021
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2021 mark-recapture estimate
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR impairment (unscored context)
350.8system score
2,513 acres
Washburn County, WI
Shell Lake
enhancedDepth mapShore accessWater data
45.73, -91.902,513 acres | 36 ft max6 public access pointsLargemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass
50.8 within-system score · ~3,267 estimated adults · 1.3 fish/acre · 2013 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 50.8/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 3,267 adult largemouth bass (1.3 fish/acre × 2,513 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 1.3 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2013
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2013 spring mark-recapture and electrofishing
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
440.0system score
393 acres
Burnett County, WI
Lipsett Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.87, -92.05393 acres | 24 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Northern Pike
40.0 within-system score · ~2,083 estimated adults · 5.3 adult fish/acre · 2016 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 40.0/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 2,083 adult largemouth bass (5.3 adult fish/acre × 393 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 5.3 adult fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2016
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2016 spring mark-recapture and late-spring electrofishing
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
T532.5system score
1,673 acres
Forest County, WI
Pine Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.68, -88.981,673 acres | 15 ft max4 public access pointsLargemouth Bass, Panfish
32.5 within-system score · ~2,677 estimated adults · 1.6 fish/acre · 2003 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 32.5/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 2,677 adult largemouth bass (1.6 fish/acre × 1,673 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 1.6 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2003
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2003 Chapman-modified Schnabel mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
T532.5system score
236 acres
Oneida County, WI
Manson Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.56, -89.63236 acres | 54 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Musky
32.5 within-system score · ~1,274 estimated adults · 5.4 fish/acre · 2006 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 32.5/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 1,274 adult largemouth bass (5.4 fish/acre × 236 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 5.4 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2006
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2006 spring multi-gear bass mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Present (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
711.7system score
204 acres
Oneida County, WI
Booth Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.89, -89.92204 acres | 34 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Panfish
11.7 within-system score · ~469 estimated adults · 2.3 fish/acre · 2004 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 11.7/100
- Lake scale (55%): about 469 adult largemouth bass (2.3 fish/acre × 204 acres)
- Survey rate (30%): 2.3 fish/acre
- Survey recency (10%): 2004
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2004 adult largemouth bass mark-recapture survey
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)
Ranked within late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
186.5system score
70 acres
Manitowoc County, WI
Bullhead Lake
enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
44.10, -88.0470 acres | 40 ft max1 public access pointLargemouth Bass, Panfish
86.5 within-system score · 15,232 lake-scale opportunity index · 217.6 fish/mile · 2025 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 86.5/100
- Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 15,232 (217.6 fish/mile × 70 acres; not a fish count)
- Survey rate (30%): 217.6 fish/mile
- Survey recency (10%): 2025
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: Spring SEII boomshocker electrofishing
- DNR status (unscored): Abundant (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth bass)
- DNR impairment (unscored context)
285.0system score
374 acres
Sauk County, WI
Devils Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
43.42, -89.73374 acres | 47 ft max2 public access pointsLargemouth Bass, Panfish
85.0 within-system score · 20,869.2 lake-scale opportunity index · 55.8 fish/mile · 2024 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 85.0/100
- Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 20,869.2 (55.8 fish/mile × 374 acres; not a fish count)
- Survey rate (30%): 55.8 fish/mile
- Survey recency (10%): 2024
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: Late-spring electrofishing
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth bass)
380.3system score
1,132 acres
Washburn County, WI
Spooner Lake
enhancedDepth mapWater data
45.84, -91.821,132 acres | 17 ft max2 public access pointsLargemouth Bass, Northern Pike
80.3 within-system score · 31,243.2 lake-scale opportunity index · 27.6 fish/mile · 2022 DNR survey
How this within-system rank was determined
- Within-system score: 80.3/100
- Lake scale (55%): opportunity index 31,243.2 (27.6 fish/mile × 1,132 acres; not a fish count)
- Survey rate (30%): 27.6 fish/mile
- Survey recency (10%): 2022
- Species fishing report (5%): not found
- Survey method: 2022 Spring Electrofishing II
- DNR status (unscored): Common (Largemouth Bass)
- DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Largemouth Bass)

Rank	Lake	County	Acres	System score	Primary score signal	Survey measurement	Metric year	Fishing report	DNR status	Largemouth Bass stocking
4	Middle Eau Claire Lake	Bayfield	880	78.9	index 21,120	24 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
5	Lake Redstoneimpaired	Sauk	635	76.6	index 18,161	28.6 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
6	Cox Hollow Lakeimpaired	Iowa	81	74.7	index 10,319.4	127.4 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
7	Boot Lake	Oconto	230	72.1	index 9,936	43.2 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
8	Fox Lakeimpaired	Dodge	2,713	71.6	index 53,988.7	19.9 fish/mile	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
9	Paya Lake	Oconto	105	71.1	index 9,240	88 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
10	Magnor Lake	Polk	229	70.7	index 10,625.6	46.4 fish/mile	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
11	Lipsett Lake	Burnett	393	70.3	index 14,462.4	36.8 fish/mile	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
12	Chute Pond	Oconto	433	70.1	index 10,825	25 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
13	Red Cedar Lake	Barron	1,897	67.2	index 21,436.1	11.3 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
14	Lake Geneva	Walworth	5,401	66.6	index 82,635.3	15.3 fish/mile	2015	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
15	Spring Lake	Waushara	50	65.8	index 7,800	156 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
T16	Diamond Lakeimpaired	Bayfield	322	64.1	index 8,855	27.5 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
T16	Ward Lakeimpaired	Polk	82	64.1	index 8,060.6	98.3 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
18	Yellowstone Lake	Lafayette	453	58.3	index 10,305.8	22.75 fish/mile	2018	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
19	Lake Mary	Marinette	186	58.0	index 6,138	33 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
20	Bear Lake	Barron	1,348	57.4	index 13,480	10 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
21	Long Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	119	56.7	index 5,402.6	45.4 fish/mile	2017	Yes · 5% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
22	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	56.6	index 22,169.4	3.3 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	—
23	Lake Menomin	Dunn	1,009	56.5	index 10,291.8	10.2 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
24	Beaver Dam Lake	Barron	1,163	56.4	index 14,886.4	12.8 fish/mile	2013	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
25	Yellow Lakeimpaired	Burnett	2,283	55.5	index 16,209.3	7.1 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
Ranked within spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1	Lake Tomahimpaired	Monroe	245	89.2	index 17,885	73 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
2	Twin Valley Lakeimpaired	Iowa	136	76.5	index 13,518.4	99.4 fish/mile	2018	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
3	Nelson Lake	Sawyer	2,716	72.1	index 57,036	21 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
4	Weyauwega Lake	Waupaca	253	71.5	index 9,436.9	37.3 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
5	Turtle Lakeimpaired	Walworth	141	66.0	index 6,909	49 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
6	Lost Land Lake	Sawyer	1,264	62.7	index 17,696	14 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
7	Boulder Lake	Oconto	370	61.7	index 9,620	26 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
8	Shell Lake	Washburn	2,513	61.5	index 39,956.7	15.9 fish/mile	2013	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
9	Peppermill Lake	Adams	53	56.3	index 2,819.6	53.2 fish/mile	2022	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
10	Stratton Lake	Waupaca	63	55.6	index 2,891.7	45.9 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
11	Rost Lake	Oconto	99	52.9	index 3,762	38 fish/mile	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
12	Apple River Flowage	Polk	604	52.5	index 8,456	14 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
13	Iola Lake	Waupaca	220	50.4	index 6,006	27.3 fish/mile	2017	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
14	Pigeon Lake	Manitowoc	80	50.2	index 2,744	34.3 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
15	Lake Kegonsaimpaired	Dane	3,200	47.5	index 16,800	5.25 fish/mile	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
16	Leigh Flowage	Oconto	238	42.7	index 5,402.6	22.7 fish/mile	2015	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
17	Graham Lake	Waupaca	54	34.6	index 1,674	31 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
18	Silver Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	73	32.3	index 1,679	23 fish/mile	2023	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
19	Wilke Lake	Manitowoc	93	30.2	index 2,072	22.28 fish/mile	2018	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
20	Pike Lake	Marathon	204	28.8	index 2,264.4	11.1 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
21	East Alaska Lake	Kewaunee	50	28.1	index 1,420	28.4 fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
T22	Dead Pike Lakeimpaired	Vilas	309	25.0	index 1,977.6	6.4 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
T22	White Lake	Oconto	50	25.0	index 1,450	29 fish/mile	2016	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
24	Burrows Lake	Oneida	149	20.6	index 1,579.4	10.6 fish/mile	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
25	Crystal Lake	Sheboygan	129	7.9	index 1,135.2	8.8 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1	Boulder Lake	Oconto	370	86.2	index 814	2.2 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
2	Lake Noquebay	Marinette	2,398	81.2	index 3,836.8	1.6 fish/net-night	2014	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
3	Leigh Flowage	Oconto	238	80.4	index 547.4	2.3 fish/net-night	2015	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
4	Long Lakeimpaired	Manitowoc	119	69.6	index 202.3	1.7 fish/net-night	2017	Yes · 5% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
5	Nagawicka Lake	Waukesha	981	58.5	index 480.7	0.49 fish/net-night	2010	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
6	Mirror Lakeimpaired	Sauk	139	53.5	index 125.1	0.9 fish/net-night	2014	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
7	Kangaroo Lake	Door	1,156	48.1	index 208.1	0.18 fish/net-night	2012	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
8	Ludden Lake	Iowa	56	39.6	index 49.3	0.88 fish/net-night	2023	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
9	Pike Lake	Marathon	204	38.5	index 61.2	0.3 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
10	Franklin Lake	Forest	839	35.8	index 100.7	0.12 fish/net-night	2025	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
11	Clark Lake	Door	865	33.8	index 112.5	0.13 fish/net-night	2013	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
12	Mildred Lake	Oneida	168	23.1	index 20.2	0.12 fish/net-night	2025	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
13	Wilke Lake	Manitowoc	93	21.9	index 18.6	0.2 fish/net-night	2018	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
14	Rost Lake	Oconto	99	4.6	index 9.9	0.1 fish/net-night	2016	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Ranked within early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1	Fox Lakeimpaired	Dodge	2,713	85.0	index 2,984.3	1.1 fish/net-night	2019	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
2	Devils Lake	Sauk	374	37.5	index 112.2	0.3 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
3	Mission Lake	Marathon	104	20.0	index 72.8	0.7 fish/net night	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable adult late spring electrofishing catch per effort (adult fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Crab Lake	Vilas	909	—	—	1.9 adult fish/mile	2024	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable adult late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Fisher Lake	Florence	50	—	—	20.14 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	—	—	8.9 fish/hour	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Beaver Dam Lakeimpaired	Dodge	6,718	—	—	4.6 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable late spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	East Alaska Lake	Kewaunee	50	—	—	2.3 fish/net-night	2024	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Nagawicka Lake	Waukesha	981	—	—	23.81 fish/hour	2010	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Comparable summer electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—	Hilbert Lake	Marinette	278	—	—	23.1 fish/mile	2021	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
Documented species evidence — unranked and alphabetical
—	Ada Lake	Langlade	75	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Alder Lake	Vilas	264	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Allequash Lake	Vilas	406	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Alma Lake	Vilas	58	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Alva Lake	Oneida	199	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Amacoy Lakeimpaired	Rusk	283	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Amber Lake	Oneida	736	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Anderson Lake	Oconto	177	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Antler Lake	Polk	94	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
—	Apeekwa Lake	Vilas	206	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Apple Lake	St. Croix	110	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	Yes
—	Arbutus Lake	Forest	163	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Archibald Lake	Oconto	392	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Army Lake	Walworth	80	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Arrowhead Lake	Vilas	96	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Ashegon Lake	Sawyer	75	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Ashippun Lake	Waukesha	94	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Atkins Lake	Bayfield	170	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Auburn Lake	Fond du Lac	90	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Audie Lake	Rusk	110	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Augustine Lake	Ashland	171	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Auroraville Millpond	Waushara	180	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Axhandle Lake	Chippewa	86	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Common (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Bagley Flowage 1061	Marinette	245	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Present (Largemouth Bass)	—
—	Balsam Lake	Polk	1,901	—	—	—	—	No · 0% signal	Abundant (Largemouth Bass)	—

By county

Largemouth Bass lakes by county

Vilas County (94)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Vilas County →

Oneida County (88)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Oneida County →

Washburn County (60)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Washburn County →

Burnett County (57)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Burnett County →

Polk County (47)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Polk County →

Sawyer County (40)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Sawyer County →

Barron County (39)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Barron County →

Bayfield County (32)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Bayfield County →

Forest County (32)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Forest County →

Oconto County (25)

Best largemouth bass lakes in Oconto County →

FAQ

Wisconsin largemouth bass fishing FAQ

Why can multiple survey systems have a #1?

93 lakes receive at least one peer-backed largemouth bass numeric rank. Distinct methods keep separate leaderboards because their values and units are not interchangeable. A numeric rank requires at least two same-system lakes, and a lake can appear in multiple systems.

How many Wisconsin lakes have largemouth bass?

1,262 Wisconsin lakes in this published set have a DNR largemouth bass status record. The list requires documented acreage and verified public or shore access. Evidence outside a valid numeric survey family stays visible but unranked.

How are the within-system scores calculated?

Lake-scale opportunity is 55%, survey rate is 30%, and survey recency is 10%, with species fishing reports at 5%. Components use only exact peers from the same comparison family. DNR abundance labels, stocking, access count, depth, and impairment remain unscored.

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Source data: Wisconsin DNR lake, stocking, and fisheries records as aggregated by LakeList. Rankings are LakeList's computed opinion from public agency data, not a DNR endorsement. Conditions and regulations change - verify access and rules before you go. Lake outlines illustrate shoreline form and are not depth or navigation charts.