Geneva Lake Fishing
A 5,401-acre Wisconsin lake in Walworth County, down to 135 feet.
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Geneva Lake, the essentials
Geneva Lake covers 5,401 acres in Walworth County, according to the WDNR Find a Lake record. The WDNR gives a maximum depth of 135 feet, with a mean of 61 feet. Groceries and gas are in Williams Bay, around 2 miles from the water. On the WDNR map it belongs to the Southeast Region. In the DNR lake classification it is complex two story.
Trout regulations cover it as classified trout water. WDNR lists smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish, trout and walleye for it. Boaters use 6 public boat landings. Clarity from satellite data averages 14.9 feet (2017).
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WDNR rates each fish group in Geneva Lake as abundant, common or present.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
| Trout | Present |
| Walleye | Present |
Fishery outlook for Geneva Lake by class
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Putting in on Geneva Lake
- Lake Geneva Boat Launch4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, City of Lake Geneva
- Williams Bay Boat Ramp4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Village of Williams Bay
- Lake Geneva Access near Fontana-on-Geneva Lake2 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Village of Fontana
- Geneva Lake – Linn Road Boat Landing1 lane, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, public
- Lake Geneva – Hillside Road Boat Landing1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Town of Linn
- Lake Geneva Access near Williams Bay1 lane, Town of Linn
Nearby ramps for Geneva Lake
- Lake Como RampLake Como, 2 miles north
- Lake Como – Schofield Road Boat LandingLake Como, 3 miles northeast
- Delavan Lake Boat RampDelavan Lake, 6 miles northwest
- Lake Delavan Carry-In Boat LandingLake Delavan, 7 miles northwest
- Blue Gill Road End Boat LandingDelavan Lake, 7 miles west
- Pell Lake Boat RampPell Lake, 8 miles east
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Geneva Lake clarity and bottom
Bottom makeup at Geneva Lake: 95% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck.
Geneva Lake is a spring lake (groundwater fed, with an outlet stream).
The DNR lists banded mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, quagga mussel, rusty crayfish, starry stonewort, yellow iris and zebra mussel as invasive species in Geneva Lake. Never move live bait or water from it.
Posted ordinances for Geneva Lake address designated mooring area, behavior-safe riding capacities, racing, designated mooring area procedures, lights, littering, navigation lanes, pfd requirements, rafts, piers, right of way, slow-no-wake areas, speed limits (mph), swimming area, swimming regulations, water skiing restrictions, other, boat launches, noise levels.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Water level at Geneva Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Lake At Lake Geneva, Wi | 2.48 ft gage height, 864.34 ft lake elevation | Oct 22 5:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 5:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Limits by species on Geneva Lake
The rows below come from the WDNR Lake Regulation record for Geneva Lake, season by season.
| 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 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| 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. |
General WDNR note for Geneva 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.
Walworth County note in the guide: Certain waters in Walworth County are designated as urban (or special) waters and have different regulations (see pages 26-27). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person). Countywide: Walleye, sauger or their hybrids must be at least 18”.
The Hwy 10 pike line puts Geneva Lake on its south side; bass rows follow the Southern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
WDNR hatchery releases in Geneva Lake
From 2023 through 2025 the DNR logged 13 stockings in Geneva Lake totaling 4,903,131 fish.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lake trout | large fingerling | 4.9 in | 36,428 |
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12 in | 880 |
| 2025 | Walleye | fry | 0.5 in | 4,700,000 |
| 2025 | Walleye | large fingerling | 7.08 in | 54,020 |
| 2024 | Brown trout | adult (broodstock) | 9.3 in | 1,786 |
| 2024 | Lake trout | large fingerling | 4.3 in | 33,400 |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11.66 in | 2,499 |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 10 in | 1,350 |
| 2023 | Brown trout | adult (broodstock) | 9.3 in | 1,273 |
| 2023 | Lake trout | large fingerling | 4.8 in | 26,800 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 1,375 | |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | yearling | 900 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
WDNR-permitted events on Geneva Lake
Dates, sponsors and results for Geneva Lake have a page of their own.
Nearby lakes and Geneva Lake in one table
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva Lake | 5,401 | 135 | 6 | complex two story | |
| Como Lake | 2 miles north | 955 | 9 | 2 | simple warm dark |
| Ceylon Lagoon | 3 miles east | 6 | 0 | ||
| Delavan Lake | 6 miles northwest | 1,906 | 52 | 3 | complex warm dark |
| Pell Lake | 8 miles east | 86 | 13 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Lake Ivanhoe | 8 miles east | 46 | 10 | 1 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Places near Geneva Lake
Wisconsin lakes around Geneva Lake
- Como Lake2 miles north
- Ceylon Lagoon3 miles east
- Delavan Lake6 miles northwest
- Pell Lake8 miles east
- Lake Ivanhoe8 miles east
Where anglers buy bait around Geneva Lake
- Gage Marinemarina, Williams Bay, 2 miles
- Geneva Lake Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Delavan, 3 miles
- Gordy's Marinemarina, Fontana, 4 miles
- Lake Geneva Marine Comarina, Fontana, 4 miles
- Abbey Marinamarina, Fontana, 4 miles
- Marina Bay Boat Rentals, Inc.marina, Lake Geneva, 4 miles
Guides who fish Geneva Lake
- Dave Duwe's Guide Servicefishing guide, Geneva Lake, Lake Geneva, (608) 883-2050
- Geneva Lake Bait & Tacklefishing guide, Geneva Lake, Delavan, (262) 245-6150
- Lake Geneva Fishing Guidefishing guide, Geneva Lake, Lake Geneva, (414) 791-0733
- Louie's Get Hooked Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake Geneva, (630) 699-4258
- The Outdoor Experience Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake Geneva, Delavan, (262) 903-5460
- In the Flow Fly Fishing Guide Servicesfly fishing guide, Lake Geneva, (262) 325-1159
Home bases for a trip to Geneva Lake
- Williams Bay2 miles
- Como3 miles
- Fontana-on-Geneva Lake3 miles
County guides for Geneva Lake
- Walworth Countyseat: Elkhorn
Piscifun picks matched to Geneva Lake
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Species you may hook at Geneva Lake
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Questions anglers bring up about Geneva Lake
Which WDNR region covers Geneva Lake?
It sits in Walworth County, WDNR Southeast Region, about 2 miles from Williams Bay.
How large and deep is Geneva Lake?
WDNR lists 5,401 acres and 135 feet at the deepest.
Is there a public boat landing on Geneva Lake?
The WDNR maps 6 mapped landings; start with Lake Geneva Boat Launch.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in Geneva Lake?
Expect smallmouth bass (abundant), largemouth bass (present), northern pike (present), panfish (present), trout (present) and walleye (present).
Does Geneva Lake have its own WDNR regulations?
The Walleye, sauger and hybrids entry reads The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Geneva Lake on a Wisconsin license?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
Is Geneva Lake a seepage or drainage lake?
Satellite clarity about 14.9 feet (2017). Bottom: 95% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: spring-fed.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest Geneva Lake?
Try Gage Marine, around 2 miles off.
Does the WDNR stock fish in Geneva Lake?
The 2025 record lists 36,428 lake trout, 880 muskellunge and 4,700,000 walleye.
Plan a Wisconsin lake day on Geneva Lake
Read the lake rules above, then pick a landing.