Fishery Profile: Lake Wissota
What do you think about when you
hear Lake Wissota?  The island?  
Ray's Beach?  The View??  If you said
Titanic you probably aren't even a
fisherman!  I now feel less qualified to
write this up just for mentioning that
movie!  Anyway, Wissota is considered
by most to be just a recreational lake,
and is extremely overlooked by
fishermen.  Mainly because, put
simply, it is a tough lake to fish.  But as
many experienced anglers know, smart
fish usually means bigger fish.
Many anglers in the Chippewa Falls area have
heard the "local legend" of the world record musky
in Lake Wissota.  Back in 1987, two DNR wardens
accidentally netted a musky that was estimated to
be around 70 inches long.  There have been
several variations of the story, the latest one I
heard was a 12 foot musky!  Well, it was only
around the 70 inch range (only).  That was close to
20 years ago, the fish never was caught.  Most
people who at least know someone who fishes
Wissota have probably heard stories of hooking
into that very fish.  Highly unlikely that many anglers
had hooked into it.  But that's not to say hooking a
big musky in Wissota is impossible. This is one of
the best lakes in the area, if not the best for a
novice musky angler to try his or her luck.  The fish
of 10,000 casts???  Not on this lake!  Anglers have
gone out and caught a handful in a day!  Yes, there
are some brutes in there, too!  Northern Pike are
present, but from past experience, I'd definitely say
you will be more likely to catch a smaller musky,
when in pursuit of pike.
Even with the presence of trophy musky, anglers main fish of
choice here, is walleyes.  There is definitely a healthy
population in the lake.  If you know where the cribs are in the
lake, you should find walleyes.  Popular spots are where the
Yellow River dumps in up by Lake Wissota State Park, and
over by where the Chippewa River dumps in, by the yacht
club, even though they are found throughout the lake.  
However, since there is a huge baitfish population  in the
lake, they can be fussy eaters.  There are days when a
simple minnow will catch you fish after fish after fish.  Then
there are the days where you just have to work your tail off
just to get a couple.  Lake Wissota has a special walleye
regulation.  A limit of 3 may be taken per day.  You may keep
anything under 14 inches, but only one fish over 18 inches.  
Everything else must be thrown back.
Smallmouth bass may be the easiest fish to catch
on the entire lake.  Just find the rocks, you'll find
the smallies!  Toss cranks or spinners and let the
feeding frenzy begin!  You will catch your share
of the smaller 10-12" sized fish.  There there
sure are some hogs luring right around the
corner!  You work ate em hard enough and you
will find some 3-5 pounders!
As you may remember, a couple of months ago
the Bassmasters were in town fishing on Lake
Wissota.  This was a huge draw, and great for
the community.  These were the most down to
earth guys you could ever meet. But did they
ever have trouble locating bass!!  In my humble
opinion, I think a lot of them were  trying too hard,
simple baits get it done.  But they proved many of
us local anglers wrong, including myself about
the presence of largemouth in the lake.  There
are some nice largemouth in the lake, too, if you
can find them.
Making my mouth water just looking at this picture!
Crappies are a big draw year round.  But mostly
through the ice and early spring.  During the winter
months "Crappie Town" is established, and the hawg
huntin begins!  Some 2 pounders are taken every
year.  I remember a bluegill and crappie hole I had 6
or 7 years ago we fished all winter.  When I first
stumbled upon it I was having no problem catching 15
to 20 nice sized panfish every time I went out.  I
remember a certain time I brought a buddy out there
and caught fish after fish while he caught nothing.  
Fishing side by side exact same set up.  You can just
imagine the smack I was talking.  Then it happened,
the crappie that shut me up!!  Off the top of my head I
cannot remember the length of the beast, but the 2
lbs 3 oz still sticks in my head to this day.  Personally I
would have brought him to the nearest taxidermist,
but, nope.  Buddy decided on frying him up.  
There are some big smallmouth lurking in these waters!
Yes, it is a hard lake to fish.  But one of the most rewarding
to learn, and with gas prices soaring, probably the most
economical choice for those in the Eau Claire/ Chippewa
Falls area.  Its a lake with endless possibilities.  A perfect
lake for recreational boaters, with plenty of beaches to satisfy
the whole family.  Check out the island.  Maybe pitch a tent
up there  and rough it for  a couple of days.  Also camping in
nearby Lake Wissota State Park.  There is a Tuesday night
fishing league held on the lake during the summer months for
those with the competitive spirit.  It's just a short drive away
from Chippewa Falls, so what are you waiting for?  Until next
month, fishing faithful!!
Lake Wissota, Chippewa County, WI

Max Depth:  72 feet
Fish Species Present: Bluegills, Crappies,
Northern Pike, Walleyes, Largemouth Bass,
Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish,
Flathead Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, Common Carp
Bullheads, Yellow Perch

For a Printable DNR Map of Lake Wissota click
here!
The pesky, yet fun to catch carp is
present in Wissota.
Wissota is a good lake for the novice musky angler