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Fishing Wolf River: what the data says
Legendary spring walleye run out of Winnebago. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Walleye fishing at Wolf River
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Shawano 3WR393 Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
White Bass & Hybrids fishing at Wolf River
Start shallow in spring: white bass & hybrids sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shawano 3WR393 Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 9 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A jigging spoon or a topwater (when schooling) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Rooster tail / inline spinner, Curly-tail jig (white/chartreuse) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Jigging spoon, Topwater (when schooling) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Small blade bait, Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Jigging spoon, Blade bait (vertical) |
Channel Catfish fishing at Wolf River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7), a creek channel in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Best bite is after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Wolf River
Spring flathead catfish on Wolf River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 0.6), a eddy pocket in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for flathead catfish in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Wolf River
Spring smallmouth bass on Wolf River hold shallow, usually 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 2.5), a rock pile in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Crappie fishing at Wolf River
Spring crappie on Wolf River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 3 to 10 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 10 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7), a creek channel in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for crappie in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
Wolf River also holds freshwater drum (3 to 10 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Shawano 3WR393 Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 36.4): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 38.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 40.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Wolf River?
Wolf River is about 10 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 Wolf River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, white bass & hybrids, flathead catfish, freshwater drum on Wolf River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Wolf River?
Shawano 3WR393 Dam tailrace is the top-rated area: a dam tailrace in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for white bass & hybrids in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Wolf River?
For walleye, 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.
Nearby waters
Shawano Lake · Lake Poygan · Lake Butte des Morts · Fox River (Lower) · Lake Winnebago · Big Green Lake
See how Wolf River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Wisconsin · best walleye lakes in Wisconsin · best crappie lakes in Wisconsin · best channel catfish lakes in Wisconsin
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