Big Muskego Lake Fishing
A 2,194-acre Wisconsin lake in Waukesha County, down to 23 feet.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Waukesha: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
About Big Muskego Lake
Count on 2,194 acres of lake water at Big Muskego Lake, which sits in Waukesha County. Its deepest sounding is 23 feet. The closest town on the Census list is Muskego, roughly 1 mile off. WDNR places it in its Southeast Region. WDNR calls it a complex warm dark lake by class.
Anglers can look for largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish, per the WDNR. 2 public boat landings serve the lake. Landsat estimates give about 3.6 feet of clarity (2017).
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The Big Muskego Lake fish groups below carry their WDNR abundance rating.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
What the lake class means for Big Muskego Lake
“Complex warm dark lakes often support great action fisheries for black crappie, and have potential to produced quality walleye, northern pike, and/or muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Public ramps at Big Muskego Lake
- Big Muskego & Bass Bay – Boxhorn Launch2 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Parks & Recreation Department
- Big Muskego Lake – Durham Drive Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Parks & Recreation Department
More boat ramps around Big Muskego Lake
- Wind Lake Canal Public Access on Muskego Canal near Muskego (WDNR 5381)Muskego Canal, 2 miles southwest
- Wind Lake Canal Public Access on Muskego Canal near Muskego (WDNR 8)Muskego Canal, 2 miles southwest
- Pleasant View Drive Boat Ramp (Lake Access #9)Little Muskego Lake, 3 miles north
- Oak Court Public AccessLittle Muskego Lake, 3 miles northwest
- Little Muskego Public Access (Hillview Drive)Little Muskego Lake, 3 miles northwest
- Idle Isle Park Boat RampLittle Muskego Lake, 4 miles northwest
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
The water in Big Muskego Lake
The WDNR describes the bottom of Big Muskego Lake as 10% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 90% muck.
In WDNR terms Big Muskego Lake is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Confirmed invasive species at Big Muskego Lake include curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, purple loosestrife, spiny naiad and starry stonewort. Inspect trailers before moving to another lake.
Boaters on Big Muskego Lake follow ordinances on ice traffic regulation, noise levels, ski jumps, slow-no-wake areas, slow-no-wake hours, swimming regulations, water exhibitions and races, water skiing restrictions.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
WDNR rules posted for Big Muskego Lake
This table repeats the WDNR rule set filed under Big Muskego Lake.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length, but northern pike from 25" to 35" may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 2. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 8" and the daily bag limit is 15. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
A blanket rule for Big Muskego Lake: Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the BIG MUSKEGO AND BASS BAY including BASS BAY LAKE Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
The guide adds for Waukesha County: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person). Certain waters in Waukesha County are designated as urban (or special) waters and have different regulations (see pages 26-27). Countywide: Walleye and sauger and their hybrids must be at least 18” (see Lac LaBelle exception).
By map position Big Muskego Lake sits south of the Hwy 10 pike line and in the Southern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Measuring Big Muskego Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Muskego Lake | 2,194 | 23 | 2 | complex warm dark | |
| Bass Bay Lake | 1 mile north | 104 | 23 | 0 | complex warm dark |
| Little Muskego Lake | 3 miles northwest | 470 | 65 | 4 | complex warm dark |
| Lake Denoon | 4 miles southwest | 167 | 55 | 1 | complex warm dark |
| Wind Lake, Racine County | 4 miles south | 919 | 47 | 1 | complex warm dark |
| Long Lake near Wind Lake, Racine County | 4 miles southwest | 105 | 25 | 1 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Next to Big Muskego Lake
Nearby lakes to try after Big Muskego Lake
- Bass Bay Lake1 mile north
- Little Muskego Lake3 miles northwest
- Lake Denoon4 miles southwest
- Wind Lake, Racine County4 miles south
- Long Lake near Wind Lake, Racine County4 miles southwest
Bait counters near Big Muskego Lake
- Wind Lake Bait And Tackle LLCbait and tackle shop, Wind Lake, 3 miles
- Walmart Muskegofarm and general store with fishing gear, Muskego, 3 miles
- Finn's Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Waterford, 4 miles
- Bridgewater Performancebait and tackle shop, Franklin, 5 miles
- Sherper'sbait and tackle shop, Hales Corners, 5 miles
- Walmart Greenfieldfarm and general store with fishing gear, Greenfield, 7 miles
Overnight towns handy to Big Muskego Lake
- Muskego1 mile
- Wind Lake4 miles
- Big Bend5 miles
Which counties Big Muskego Lake touches
- Waukesha Countyseat: Waukesha
Reels and a scale grip to bring to Big Muskego Lake
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Photographs from waters near Big Muskego Lake
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Harry Malsch, CC BY 2.0
Big Muskego Lake, answered in a line or two
What part of Wisconsin holds Big Muskego Lake?
You will find it in Waukesha County, WDNR Southeast Region, about 1 mile from Muskego.
What size is Big Muskego Lake on the WDNR record?
2,194 acres and 23 feet at the deepest.
Where is the ramp on Big Muskego Lake?
2 mapped landings, including Big Muskego & Bass Bay – Boxhorn Launch.
Which fish live in Big Muskego Lake?
The DNR list shows largemouth bass (common), northern pike (present) and panfish (present).
What daily bag limits does the WDNR post for Big Muskego Lake?
WDNR lists Walleye, sauger and hybrids as The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3.
Do I need a Wisconsin license for Big Muskego Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What kind of lake is Big Muskego Lake?
Satellite clarity about 3.6 feet (2017). Bottom: 10% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 90% muck. WDNR class: complex warm dark. Type: drainage.
Who sells bait near Big Muskego Lake?
Wind Lake Bait And Tackle LLC, about 3 miles away.
Is Big Muskego Lake free of invasives?
Confirmed: curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, purple loosestrife, spiny naiad and starry stonewort.
Mark Big Muskego Lake on the Wisconsin calendar
Licenses, stamps and statewide rules are on the license page.