Fishing Puckaway Lake
AKA: Lake Puckaway
Popular Fish Species Puckaway Lake, WI
Northern Pike Fishing
Big northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Puckaway Lake. This year they are being caught in good numbers with an occasional giant. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can 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. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. 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. Throughout the season, 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.
Yellow Perch Fishing
Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Puckaway Lake. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Puckaway Lake is considered a good bass fishing lake by local anglers. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. In winter, when the ice is safe, bass can also be caught while fishing through the ice. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Puckaway Lake in Wisconsin.
Puckaway Lake Fishing Video
Plenty of lodging and campgrounds around Lake Puckaway make this 5,000-acre lake, in the south-central part of the state, a desirable vacation or fishing trip destination. Anglers will appreciate over 25 miles of shoreline where bass, perch, sunfish, pike and crappie tend to hang out during the fishing season.
Puckaway Lake is situated in central Wisconsin, located primarily in Green Lake County. It is a scenic and serene lake that offers a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers. The lake is known for its diverse fish population, making it a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts.
Largemouth bass are one of the most sought-after fish species in Puckaway Lake. The lake provides ample habitat for bass, including submerged structures, weed beds, and shoreline cover. Anglers can use a variety of techniques such as casting with plastic worms, crankbaits, or topwater lures to entice largemouth bass.
Walleye is another popular fish species that attracts anglers to Puckaway Lake. These prized gamefish can be found near drop-offs, points, and rocky structures. Trolling with crankbaits, casting with jigs or live bait rigs, or vertical jigging are effective methods for targeting walleye in the lake.
Channel catfish are abundant in Puckaway Lake, offering excellent opportunities for catfish enthusiasts. Anglers can target these bottom-dwelling fish using various baits such as cut bait, stink bait, or live bait rigs. Fishing near the lake's deeper areas, along the channels, or near submerged structures can increase the chances of hooking a channel catfish.
White bass are also prevalent in Puckaway Lake and provide exciting fishing action. These fish often gather in schools and can be targeted using casting techniques with spinners, jigs, or crankbaits. They are known for their spirited fights and make for a thrilling angling experience.
Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in Puckaway Lake, offering anglers the opportunity to catch these popular panfish species. These fish are often found near submerged structures, such as brush piles or fallen trees. Jigging with small jigs or minnows, or using live bait rigs, can be effective in enticing crappie to bite.
Northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill are other common fish species that can be caught in Puckaway Lake. Anglers can target northern pike by casting with spinners or spoons near weed beds or areas with submerged vegetation. Yellow perch and bluegill are often found near weed lines or submerged structures, and can be caught using small jigs or live bait rigs.
Puckaway Lake in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, offers a range of popular fish species, including largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, white bass, black crappie, white crappie, northern pike, yellow perch, and bluegill. With its diverse fish population, picturesque scenery, and opportunities for boating and camping, Puckaway Lake is a favored destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
There are no rental boats, but visitors can use the public boat ramp to launch everything from canoes and kayaks to pontoons and power boats.
Primary fish species residing in Puckaway Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Puckaway Lake Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
In addition to the excellent fishing opportunities, Puckaway Lake provides a great environment for boating and camping. Anglers can enjoy boating on the lake, exploring its scenic beauty, and finding their favorite fishing spots.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Marquette County Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off Toepper Drive, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Puckaway Lake
JNB Guided Fishing - walleye, pike, bass, crappie
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Wisconsin Fishing License.
There are camping facilities nearby, allowing anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to extend their stay and fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
River's End Resort Campground - 414 810-8815
Sunset Bay Resort Marquette Campground - 608 617-7985
Lakeside Campground - 920 295-3000
Lake Arrowhead Campground - 920 295-3000
Puckaway Lake WI Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Puckaway Lake
River's End Resort
W7004 Puckaway Rd
Markesan, WI 53946
414 810-8815
Fishing lakes in each state.
101224
Puckaway Lake in WI
WISCONSIN
Fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass and walleye in south-central WI.