Lake Koshkonong Fishing
A 10,595-acre Wisconsin lake in Jefferson County, Rock County and Dane County, down to 7 feet.
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Lake Koshkonong by the numbers
In Jefferson County, Rock County and Dane County, Lake Koshkonong spreads over 10,595 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 7 feet, with a mean of 5 feet. Lake Koshkonong lies about 1 mile from the lake. It is a South Central Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex riverine lake.
The DNR fish list names panfish, catfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike and smallmouth bass. There are 4 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 3 feet.
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Each species group in Lake Koshkonong carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Common |
| Catfish | Present |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Musky | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
| Walleye | Present |
How the DNR describes the Lake Koshkonong fishery
“Complex riverine lakes often support great fisheries for riverine species like smallmouth bass, and in some systems, walleye.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Lake Koshkonong
- Royce-Dallman County Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, 21 to 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Public Works – Parks Division
- Bingham Road Boat Ramp1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Sumner
- Lake Koshkonong Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Town of Sumner
- Vinne HaHa Landing1 lane, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, Property Manager
Boat landings close to Lake Koshkonong
- Rock River Public AccessRock River, 5 miles northeast
- Groeler Road Boat LaunchRock River, 5 miles northeast
- Clear Lake Public AccessClear Lake, 5 miles south
- Newville Public AccessRock River, 6 miles southwest
- Storrs Lake RampStorrs Lake, 7 miles south
- Mechanic Street Boat RampRock River, 7 miles northeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Lake Koshkonong
The DNR bottom survey for Lake Koshkonong lists 10% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck.
WDNR types Lake Koshkonong as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Lake Koshkonong: curly-leaf pondweed and zebra mussel. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Gauge readings on Lake Koshkonong
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Koshkonong Near Newville, Wi | 6.44 ft gage height, 776.29 ft lake elevation | Oct 22 3:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 4:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District (CWMS) reading for Lake Koshkonong Newville WI, recorded October 21, 2026; retrieved October 21, 2026. Values are provisional.
Fishing regulations for Lake Koshkonong
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Lake Koshkonong.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | Open All Year | 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 | Open All Year | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Open All Year | 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. |
Every species on Lake Koshkonong also falls under this note: Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
From the Jefferson County section of the guide: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
For pike Lake Koshkonong is south of Hwy 10, and the Southern Bass Zone sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Recent stockings at Lake Koshkonong
Stocking records for Lake Koshkonong: 3 entries, 505,851 fish, years 2023 to 2023.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Northern pike | small fingerling | 2.17 in | 62,814 |
| 2023 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.32 in | 434,037 |
| 2023 | Yellow perch | large fingerling | 5 in | 9,000 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lakes near Lake Koshkonong compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Koshkonong | 10,595 | 7 | 4 | complex riverine | |
| Rice Lake, Dane County | 4 miles northwest | 117 | 8 | 0 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Clear Lake, Rock County | 5 miles south | 77 | 12 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Storrs Lake | 7 miles south | 20 | 25 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| Red Cedar Lake, Jefferson County | 8 miles north | 344 | 6 | 1 | simple harsh has fishery |
| Lake Ripley | 9 miles north | 420 | 44 | 1 | complex warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Lake Koshkonong
Lakes next door to Lake Koshkonong
- Rice Lake, Dane County4 miles northwest
- Clear Lake, Rock County5 miles south
- Storrs Lake7 miles south
- Red Cedar Lake, Jefferson County8 miles north
- Lake Ripley9 miles north
Minnows and tackle close to Lake Koshkonong
- Shellbait and tackle shop, Edgerton, 4 miles
- The Harbor at Newvillemarina, Milton, 4 miles
- Rock River Marinamarina, Edgerton, 5 miles
- Baitbox on the Rockbait and tackle shop, Fort Atkinson, 7 miles
- TPF Outdoors LLCbait and tackle shop, Fort Atkinson, 7 miles
- Uncle Josh Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Fort Atkinson, 8 miles
Guide trips around Lake Koshkonong
- Pike Pole Fishing Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Edgerton, (608) 290-3929
Towns within reach of Lake Koshkonong
- Lake Koshkonong1 mile
- Edgerton6 miles
- Milton7 miles
Lake Koshkonong by county
- Jefferson Countyseat: Jefferson
- Rock Countyseat: Janesville
- Dane Countyseat: Madison
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Lake Koshkonong
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Know the fish of Lake Koshkonong
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Koshkonong: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Lake Koshkonong in?
Look in Jefferson County, Rock County and Dane County, WDNR South Central Region, about 1 mile from Lake Koshkonong.
How many acres does the WDNR give Lake Koshkonong?
10,595 acres of water and 7 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Lake Koshkonong at a public landing?
4 mapped landings, led by Royce-Dallman County Park Boat Ramp.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Lake Koshkonong?
On file: panfish (common), catfish (present), largemouth bass (present), muskellunge (present), northern pike (present), smallmouth bass (present) and walleye (present).
What size limits apply on Lake Koshkonong?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Lake Koshkonong?
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.
How clear does the water in Lake Koshkonong run?
Satellite clarity about 3 feet (2017). Bottom: 10% sand, 10% gravel, 0% rock, 80% muck. WDNR class: complex riverine. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Lake Koshkonong?
Shell is about 4 miles from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Lake Koshkonong?
WDNR stocked 62,814 northern pike, 434,037 walleye and 9,000 yellow perch in 2023.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Lake Koshkonong
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.