Fishing Pewaukee Lake

AKA: Lake Pewaukee

Popular Fish Species
Pewaukee Lake Fishing Video
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Pewaukee Lake, WI

Popular Fish Species Pewaukee Lake, WI

Muskie Fishing

Fishing for muskellunge in Pewaukee Lake could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. Giant musky roam these waters and are aggressive eaters. Muskie fishing can bring some exciting moments to your fishing day, as big muskies are spectacular, and strong fighters. Use a strong rod in medium- to medium-heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for musky can be very exhilarating. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find muskie during summer.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish and sunfish population, and great fisheries management by the Fisheries Management Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Pewaukee Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very productive. Use GPS to locate spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

Pewaukee Lake Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Pewaukee Lake. They are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help.

Pewaukee Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, musky and northern pike at Pewaukee Lake in Wisconsin.

Giant musky, quality largemouth bass and plentiful walleye attract fishing enthusiasts to Pewaukee Lake, a 2,400-acre lake in southeast WI, 5 miles north of Waukesha. Other fish species residing here include muskie, sauger, flathead catfish, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill. There are over 10 miles of shoreline to enjoy while fishing.

Primary fish species residing in Pewaukee Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Pewaukee Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lakeview Blvd Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southeast side of the lake, off Lakeview Blvd, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Pewaukee Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Maple Avenue, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.