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Wisconsin›Best lakes›Walleye

WI · ranked by public data

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

No fish fills more Wisconsin frying pans than the walleye. The state's best walleye water ranges from the massive Winnebago system and the Wisconsin River flowages to hundreds of stocked and naturally reproducing inland lakes across the north.

807 Wisconsin lakes have a DNR walleye status record. 621 lakes with status, survey, or report evidence met our size and public-access criteria (186 excluded for no verified public access). Updated July 2026.

807lakes with walleye
4with a DNR fishing forecast
Lake Winnebagobiggest at 131,939 acres
Vilas Countymost evidence-qualified lakes (87)

Methodology

How we rank Wisconsin walleye 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 walleye 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 walleye 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.

  1. Ranked within adult population density — ranks restart at 1

    192.6system score
    3,545 acres

    Oneida County, WI

    Pelican Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.51, -89.203,545 acres | 39 ft max5 public access pointsWalleye, Panfish

    92.6 within-system score · ~15,244 estimated adults · 4.3 adult fish/acre · 2024 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 92.6/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 15,244 adult walleye (4.3 adult fish/acre × 3,545 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 4.3 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2024
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Source-reported density estimate
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
  2. 286.4system score
    2,713 acres

    Dodge County, WI

    Fox Lake

    enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
    43.58, -88.912,713 acres | 19 ft max3 public access pointsWalleye, Largemouth Bass

    86.4 within-system score · ~11,666 estimated adults · 4.3 adult fish/acre · 2019 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 86.4/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 11,666 adult walleye (4.3 adult fish/acre × 2,713 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 4.3 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2019
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2019 Petersen mark-recapture estimate
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
    • DNR impairment (unscored context)
  3. 385.6system score
    1,587 acres

    Washburn County, WI

    Minong Flowage

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    46.12, -91.931,587 acres | 21 ft max2 public access pointsWalleye, Northern Pike

    85.6 within-system score · ~6,507 estimated adults · 4.1 adult fish/acre · 2023 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 85.6/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 6,507 adult walleye (4.1 adult fish/acre × 1,587 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 4.1 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2023
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Treaty-assessment early-spring mark-recapture surveys
    • DNR status (unscored): Abundant (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
  4. T478.9system score
    3,153 acres

    Oneida County, WI

    Rainbow Flowage

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.86, -89.513,153 acres | 28 ft max6 public access pointsWalleye, Panfish

    78.9 within-system score · ~10,405 estimated adults · 3.3 fish/acre · 2012 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 78.9/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 10,405 adult walleye (3.3 fish/acre × 3,153 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 3.3 fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2012
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2012 comprehensive spring sampling and mark-recapture
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
  5. T478.9system score
    1,339 acres

    Oneida County, WI

    Minocqua Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWalleye stockedWater data
    45.87, -89.681,339 acres | 60 ft max4 public access pointsWalleye, Largemouth Bass

    78.9 within-system score · ~3,816 estimated adults · 2.85 adult fish/acre · 2024 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 78.9/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 3,816 adult walleye (2.85 adult fish/acre × 1,339 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 2.85 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2024
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Source-reported density estimate
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
    • Walleye stocking history (unscored context)
  6. 678.6system score
    1,897 acres

    Barron County, WI

    Red Cedar Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWalleye stockedWater data
    45.61, -91.591,897 acres | 53 ft max2 public access pointsWalleye, Largemouth Bass

    78.6 within-system score · ~4,173 estimated adults · 2.2 adult fish/acre · 2023 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 78.6/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 4,173 adult walleye (2.2 adult fish/acre × 1,897 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 2.2 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2023
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: SN1/SE1 mark-recapture
    • DNR management objective
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
    • Walleye stocking history (unscored context)
  7. 776.9system score
    642 acres

    Oneida County, WI

    Buckskin Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWalleye stockedWater data
    45.89, -89.94642 acres | 22 ft max1 public access pointWalleye, Northern Pike

    76.9 within-system score · ~4,045 estimated adults · 6.3 fish/acre · 2006 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 76.9/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 4,045 adult walleye (6.3 fish/acre × 642 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 6.3 fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2006
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2006 spring mark-recapture netting and electrofishing
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
    • Walleye stocking history (unscored context)
  8. 874.0system score
    453 acres

    Lafayette County, WI

    Yellowstone Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    42.76, -89.97453 acres | 14 ft max4 public access pointsWalleye, Panfish

    74.0 within-system score · ~1,948 estimated adults · 4.3 adult fish/acre · 2018 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 74.0/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 1,948 adult walleye (4.3 adult fish/acre × 453 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 4.3 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2018
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: 2018 spring mark-recapture estimate
    • DNR status (unscored): Present (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
  9. 973.5system score
    216 acres

    Vilas County, WI

    Snipe Lake

    enhancedDepth mapWater data
    45.94, -89.37216 acres | 15 ft max1 public access pointWalleye, Musky

    73.5 within-system score · ~1,274 estimated adults · 5.9 adult fish/acre · 2024 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 73.5/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 1,274 adult walleye (5.9 adult fish/acre × 216 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 5.9 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2024
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: Mark-recapture estimate
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
  10. 1072.8system score
    325 acres

    Washburn County, WI

    Balsam Lake

    enhancedDepth mapDNR impairmentWater data
    45.65, -91.58325 acres | 49 ft max1 public access pointWalleye, Panfish

    72.8 within-system score · ~1,365 estimated adults · 4.2 adult fish/acre · 2023 DNR survey

    How this within-system rank was determined
    • Within-system score: 72.8/100
    • Lake scale (55%): about 1,365 adult walleye (4.2 adult fish/acre × 325 acres)
    • Survey rate (30%): 4.2 adult fish/acre
    • Survey recency (10%): 2023
    • Species fishing report (5%): not found
    • Survey method: SN1/SE1 mark-recapture
    • DNR management objective
    • DNR status (unscored): Common (Walleye)
    • DNR fisheries survey evidence: Recorded in DNR fisheries survey (Walleye)
    • DNR impairment (unscored context)
RankLakeCountyAcresSystem scorePrimary score signalSurvey measurementMetric yearFishing reportDNR statusWalleye stocking
T11Lac Courte OreillesSawyer5,13972.3~6,167 adults1.2 adult fish/acre2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
T11Yellow LakeimpairedBurnett2,28372.3~4,109 adults1.8 fish/acre2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
13Lake KegonsaimpairedDane3,20071.9~6,176 adults1.93 adult fish/acre2016No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
14Crab LakeVilas90971.5~1,818 adults2 adult fish/acre2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
15Beaver Dam LakeimpairedDodge6,71871.4~8,062 adults1.2 fish/acre2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
16Whitefish LakeDouglas84870.3~2,714 adults3.2 fish/acre2014No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
17Granite LakeimpairedBarron15569.3~1,240 adults8 adult fish/acre2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
18Twin Valley LakeimpairedIowa13667.6~843 adults6.2 adult fish/acre2018Yes · 5% signalPresent (Walleye)—
19Elkhart LakeimpairedSheboygan29266.5~1,139 adults3.9 fish/acre2022No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
20Two Sisters LakeOneida71966.2~2,013 adults2.8 fish/acre2005No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
21Plum LakeVilas1,05765.8~1,586 adults1.5 adult fish/acre2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
22Lake NebagamonDouglas98663.5~1,578 adults1.6 adult fish/acre2022No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
23Swamsauger LakeOneida13663.3~1,034 adults7.6 fish/acre2010No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
24Upper Turtle LakeimpairedBarron42757.3~854 adults2 fish/acre2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
25Rock LakeJefferson1,36555.9~1,365 adults1 adult fish/acre2022No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
Ranked within spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1Lost Land LakeSawyer1,26489.7index 26,54421 fish/net-night2023No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
2Franklin LakeForest83988.8index 16,855.520.09 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
3Rainbow FlowageOneida3,15383.6index 48,871.515.5 fish/net-night2012No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
4Lake GenevaWalworth5,40177.9index 36,186.76.7 fish/net-night2015No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
5Nelson LakeSawyer2,71675.8index 12,493.64.6 fish/net-night2023No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)Yes
6Magnor LakePolk22975.6index 4,80921 fish/net-night2019No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
7Middle McKenzie LakeimpairedBurnett52771.8index 5,217.39.9 fish/net-night2018No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
8Kelly LakeOconto36769.3index 3,046.18.3 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
9Shell LakeWashburn2,51367.2index 7,036.42.8 fish/net-night2018No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
T10Lake NoquebayMarinette2,39866.3index 7,673.63.2 fish/net-night2014No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
T10Yellowstone LakeLafayette45366.3index 3,3167.32 fish/net-night2018No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
12Kangaroo LakeDoor1,15664.7index 6,4625.59 fish/net-night2012No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
13Lake JuliaOneida24164.4index 3,060.712.7 fish/net-night2012No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
14Bolger LakeOneida11560.8index 9208 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
15Lake KegonsaimpairedDane3,20059.3index 6,6882.09 fish/net-night2016No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
16Swamsauger LakeOneida13656.4index 1,577.611.6 fish/net-night2010No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
17Mildred LakeOneida16856.0index 856.85.1 fish/net-night2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
18Hilbert LakeMarinette27854.0index 1,195.44.3 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
19Twin Valley LakeimpairedIowa13649.4index 451.53.32 fish/net-night2018Yes · 5% signalPresent (Walleye)—
20Clark LakeDoor86547.1index 1,9292.23 fish/net-night2013No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
21Beaver Dam LakeBarron1,16346.1index 2,093.41.8 fish/net-night2013No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
22Random LakeSheboygan21245.0index 5302.5 fish/net-night2018No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
23Worcester LakePrice10138.1index 232.32.3 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
24Emma LakeOneida22736.5index 476.72.1 fish/net-night2012No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
25Pike LakeMarathon20434.2index 326.41.6 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
Ranked within spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1Rainbow FlowageOneida3,15385.7index 131,480.141.7 fish/mile2012No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
2Yellow LakeimpairedBurnett2,28384.0index 63,010.827.6 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
3Twin Valley LakeimpairedIowa13674.0index 6,419.247.2 fish/mile2018Yes · 5% signalPresent (Walleye)—
4Magnor LakePolk22973.0index 8,633.337.7 fish/mile2019No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
5Two Sisters LakeOneida71966.0index 17,25624 fish/mile2005No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
6Shell LakeWashburn2,51363.7index 18,596.27.4 fish/mile2018No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
7Middle McKenzie LakeimpairedBurnett52758.7index 6,534.812.4 fish/mile2018No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
8Hilbert LakeMarinette27856.0index 4,225.615.2 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
9Lake JuliaOneida24148.3index 3,759.615.6 fish/mile2012No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
10Emma LakeOneida22738.7index 2,565.111.3 fish/mile2012No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
11Random LakeSheboygan21236.3index 2,353.211.1 fish/mile2018No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
12Lipsett LakeBurnett39324.0index 1,5724 fish/mile2016No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
13Manson LakeOneida23619.7index 1,109.24.7 fish/mile2006No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
14Pike LakeMarathon20418.0index 632.43.1 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
15Mildred LakeOneida16817.7index 604.83.6 fish/mile2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
16East Alaska LakeKewaunee509.3index 350.7 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalNo record—
Ranked within early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1Fox LakeimpairedDodge2,71380.8index 63,484.223.4 fish/net-night2019No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
2Red Cedar LakeBarron1,89779.6index 33,766.617.8 fish/net night2023No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
3Beaver Dam LakeimpairedDodge6,71877.3index 85,990.412.8 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
4Rock LakeJefferson1,36571.5index 19,792.514.5 fish/net-night2022No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
5Granite LakeimpairedBarron15566.2index 5,79737.4 fish/net-night2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
6Balsam LakeimpairedWashburn32558.1index 4,322.513.3 fish/net night2023No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
7Potato LakeRusk54054.2index 5,94011 fish/net-night2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
8Duck LakeBarron10944.6index 2,016.518.5 fish/net-night2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
9Upper Turtle LakeimpairedBarron42740.8index 3,8439 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
10Lower Turtle LakeimpairedBarron28638.8index 2,831.49.9 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
11Elkhart LakeimpairedSheboygan29223.8index 1,407.44.82 fish/net night2022No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
12Park LakeColumbia33023.5index 1,5514.7 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
13Big Moon LakeimpairedBarron18712.7index 448.82.4 fish/net night2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
14Hatch LakeWaupaca1138.5index 45.20.4 fish/net-night2022No · 0% signalNo recordYes
Ranked within early spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1Upper Turtle LakeimpairedBarron42788.3index 18,062.142.3 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
2Park LakeColumbia33074.2index 11,61635.2 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
3Granite LakeimpairedBarron15568.3index 10,214.565.9 fish/mile2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
4Lower Turtle LakeimpairedBarron28650.8index 9,180.632.1 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
5Bolger LakeOneida11529.2index 3,31228.8 fish/mile2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
6Potato LakeRusk54020.0index 4,5908.5 fish/mile2019No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
7Big Moon LakeimpairedBarron18713.3index 2,337.512.5 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
Ranked within late spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — ranks restart at 1
1Fox LakeimpairedDodge2,71386.7index 398,268.4146.8 fish/mile2019No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
2Siskiwit LakeimpairedBayfield28575.8index 12,82545 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
3Wazeecha LakeWood14057.5index 2,19815.7 fish/mile2025No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
4Lyman LakeimpairedDouglas37056.7index 4,07011 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
5Middle Eau Claire LakeBayfield88033.3index 2,0242.3 fish/mile2025No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
6Cranberry LakeDouglas16929.2index 642.23.8 fish/mile2025No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
7Long LakeimpairedManitowoc1190.0index 166.61.4 fish/mile2017No · 0% signalNo record—
Ranked within adult spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1Pelican LakeOneida3,54595.0index 87,91624.8 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
2Halsey LakeFlorence50652.5index 2,995.55.92 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
3Ludden LakeIowa560.0index 58.81.05 fish/net-night2023No · 0% signalNo record—
Ranked within adult early spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — ranks restart at 1
1Lake MontanisimpairedBarron21295.0index 1,0605 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
2Poskin LakeimpairedBarron15410.0index 723.84.7 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
Comparable adult early spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Lake MenominDunn1,009——65 fish/hour2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
Comparable adult spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Pelican LakeOneida3,545——32.3 fish/mile2024No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Beaver Dam LakeimpairedDodge6,718——24.3 fish/hour2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
Comparable fall electrofishing catch per effort (fish/mile) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Beaver Dam LakeimpairedDodge6,718——12.5 fish/mile2021No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)—
Comparable fall fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Lake GenevaWalworth5,401——0.2 fish/net-night2015No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
Comparable late spring fyke net catch per effort (fish/net night) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—East Alaska LakeKewaunee50——0.2 fish/net-night2024No · 0% signalNo record—
Comparable spring electrofishing catch per effort (fish/hour) — one lake recorded, no peer rank
—Nagawicka LakeWaukesha981——4.8 fish/hour2010No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
Documented species evidence — unranked and alphabetical
—Alder LakeVilas264————No · 0% signalAbundant (Walleye)Yes
—Allequash LakeVilas406————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Alma LakeVilas58————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
—Altoona LakeimpairedEau Claire720————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Alva LakeOneida199————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Amacoy LakeimpairedRusk283————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Amber LakeOneida736————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Amnicon LakeDouglas390————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
—Anderson LakeOconto177————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
—Annabelle LakeVilas194————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Anvil LakeVilas377————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
—Apeekwa LakeVilas206————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Apple LakeSt. Croix110————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
—Arbutus LakeForest163————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Archibald LakeOconto392————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—
—Arrowhead LakeVilas96————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Ashegon LakeSawyer75————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
—Ashippun LakeWaukesha94————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Atkins LakeBayfield170————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
—Auburn LakeFond du Lac90————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Bagley Flowage 1061Marinette245————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Balsam LakePolk1,901————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)Yes
—Barker LakeSawyer213————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)Yes
—Bass LakeDouglas51————No · 0% signalPresent (Walleye)—
—Bass LakeOconto145————No · 0% signalCommon (Walleye)—

By county

Walleye lakes by county

Vilas County (87)
  • Big Arbor Vitae Lake
  • Big Lake
  • Big Lake
  • Big Muskellunge Lake
  • Big Portage Lake
Best walleye lakes in Vilas County →
Oneida County (80)
  • Lake Thompson
  • Booth Lake
  • Bear Lake
  • Bearskin Lake
  • Big Carr Lake
Best walleye lakes in Oneida County →
Sawyer County (40)
  • Barber Lake
  • Durphee Lake
  • Black Dan Lake
  • Black Lake
  • Blaisdell Lake
Best walleye lakes in Sawyer County →
Washburn County (36)
  • Bass Lake
  • Bass Lake
  • Bean Lake
  • Beartrack Lake
  • Big Bass Lake
Best walleye lakes in Washburn County →
Barron County (27)
  • Bear Lake
  • Big Dummy Lake
  • Echo Lake
  • Hemlock Lake
  • Horseshoe Lake
Best walleye lakes in Barron County →
Burnett County (23)
  • Benoit Lake
  • Big Sand Lake
  • Big Trade Lake
  • Clam Lake
  • Clam River Flowage
Best walleye lakes in Burnett County →
Bayfield County (20)
  • Bellevue Lake
  • Bladder Lake
  • Buskey Bay
  • Cisco Lake
  • Diamond Lake
Best walleye lakes in Bayfield County →
Polk County (20)
  • Ward Lake
  • Bear Trap Lake
  • Big Blake Lake
  • Big Butternut Lake
  • Big Lake
Best walleye lakes in Polk County →
Price County (18)
  • Bass Lake
  • Big Dardis Lake
  • Blockhouse Lake
  • Butternut Lake
  • Cranberry Lake
Best walleye lakes in Price County →
Forest County (17)
  • Pine Lake
  • Pickerel Lake
  • Butternut Lake
  • Crane Lake
  • Julia Lake
Best walleye lakes in Forest County →

FAQ

Wisconsin walleye fishing FAQ

Why can multiple survey systems have a #1?

88 lakes receive at least one peer-backed walleye 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 walleye?

807 Wisconsin lakes in this published set have a DNR walleye 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.