LakeList assistant
Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Lake Winnebago.
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Fishing forecast
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Warmest water of the year. Fish hold deeper or feed in low light; swimming and watersports are at their best.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
DNR water check
Historical volunteer-monitoring record for this lake.
Individual readings are not retained for this lake — the index below is what the monitoring record summarizes.
64 five-year summer trophic state index · Eutrophic. Nutrient-rich, greener water — more algae and plant growth, common in shallower lakes.
What visitors and local sources report
Dated, source-linked observations about swimming and other lake activities. These are historical reports, not live conditions or a safety grade.
A June 2025 WBAY segment connected Lake Winnebago swimming concerns with blue-green algae and swimmer's itch. This is a media report, not an official diagnosis or current closure notice.
WBAY: Blue-green algae causing swimmer's itch in Lake WinnebagoConditions can change by date and shoreline. A report does not establish a lake-wide or current hazard, and no indexed report does not mean an issue has never occurred. Check current official notices before entering the water.
Official Wisconsin information
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
1 converted map sheet. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.

Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 131100 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Wisconsin DNR · 2026–2027 season
Rule text published by the DNR for this waterbody, cached by WBIC and verified 2026-07-12.
Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the WINNEBAGO CHAIN including CINCOE LAKE, LAKE BUTTE DES MORTS, LAKE POYGAN, LAKE WINNECONNE, PARTRIDGE CROP LAKE, PARTRIDGE LAKE Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler. Open all year for all species except muskellunge, northern pike, flathead catfish and lake sturgeon.
Season Dates: Open All Year. See specific species regulations in this group.
Season Dates: Open All Year. No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
Season Dates: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Season Dates: Open All Year. The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5.
Season Dates: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water. The minimum length limit is 50" and the daily bag limit is 1.
Season Dates: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027. The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2.
Season Dates: Closed. No fishing allowed.
Season Dates: Open All Year. No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
Season Dates: Open All Year. No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
Season Dates: Open All Year. No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
Season Dates: Closed. No fishing allowed.
See Trout regulations layer.
This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
Season Dates: Open All Year. No minimum length limit and the daily bag is 3, only one of which may be a sauger or hybrid.
Regulations can change. The official DNR page controls; verify seasons, boundaries, bag limits, and emergency rules before fishing.
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Fishery
Depth FAQ
Lake Winnebago is 21 feet deep at its deepest point, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Lake Winnebago at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived) survey data.
The interactive depth contours are derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived). Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are derived from community sonar recordings (C-MAP Genesis Social Map, used with permission), with gaps between recordings interpolated; not for navigation.
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