Rainbow Trout fishing at Yellowstone Lake

In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 4 to 14 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 14 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Yellowstone Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 14 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 14 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Yellowstone Lake

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish settle into 4 to 14 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Yellowstone Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 14 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 14 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Muskellunge fishing at Yellowstone Lake

Spring muskellunge on Yellowstone Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 4 to 14 ft, and by winter most fish are in 4 to 14 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for fall muskellunge. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Yellowstone Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 14 ft, and winter fish settle into 4 to 14 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

How deep is Yellowstone Lake?

Yellowstone Lake is about 14 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 Yellowstone Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, rainbow trout, muskellunge, yellow perch on Yellowstone Lake. These come from the Wisconsin DNR's per-lake fish listing; where the DNR lists a group (panfish, catfish, trout) the specific species are resolved from Wisconsin's fish distribution by the lake's location, depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Yellowstone Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Yellowstone Lake?

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