Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Pickwick Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. They move out to 40 to 80 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 87 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Pickwick Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 26 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Pickwick Lake

Spring yellow perch on Pickwick Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Pickwick Lake

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Pickwick Lake

Spring rock bass on Pickwick Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 26 ft, rated good for fall rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

Burbot fishing at Pickwick Lake

In spring, burbot run shallow here, mostly 25 to 70 ft. They move out to 31 to 102 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 87 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.

How deep is Pickwick Lake?

Pickwick Lake is about 102 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Pickwick Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, burbot, rock bass, cisco (lake herring) on Pickwick Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Pickwick Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Pickwick Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.