Muskellunge fishing at Shawano Lake

In spring, muskellunge run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 18 ft, rated prime for fall muskellunge. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Shawano Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 39.5 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shawano Lake Outlet inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. 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.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Shawano Lake

Spring largemouth bass on Shawano Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Bluegill fishing at Shawano Lake

In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. They move out to 4 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.

Crappie fishing at Shawano Lake

Spring crappie on Shawano Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Old creek channel is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for fall crappie. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Shawano Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

How deep is Shawano Lake?

Shawano Lake is about 39.5 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 Shawano Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, muskellunge, yellow perch on Shawano Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Shawano Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for muskellunge in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Shawano Lake?

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