Lake Waubesa Fishing
A 2,074-acre Wisconsin lake in Dane County, down to 38 feet.
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Lake Waubesa by the numbers
In Dane County, Lake Waubesa spreads over 2,074 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 38 feet, with a mean of 16 feet. McFarland lies about 2 miles from the lake. It is a South Central Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex warm dark lake.
The DNR fish list names largemouth bass, panfish, northern pike, walleye, catfish and muskellunge. There are 4 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 3.7 feet.
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Each species group in Lake Waubesa carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Abundant |
| Panfish | Abundant |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Catfish | Present |
| Musky | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
How the DNR describes the Lake Waubesa fishery
“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.
Boat landings on Lake Waubesa
- Babcock County Park Boat Ramp4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, fish cleaning, Dane County Parks Division
- Lake Farm County Park4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, fish cleaning, Dane County Parks Division
- Goodland County Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Dane County Parks Division
- McConnell Street Boat Launch1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Dunn
Boat landings close to Lake Waubesa
- Conrad Jaeger ParkYahara River, 1 mile east
- Yahara River Park Canoe LaunchYahara River, 1 mile southeast
- Lottes Park Boat LaunchYahara River, 2 miles north
- Winnequah Trail Boat RampLake Monona, 3 miles northwest
- Yahara River Canoe LaunchLake Kegonsa, 4 miles southeast
- Fish Camp Launch Park Boat RampLake Kegonsa, 4 miles southeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Lake Waubesa
The DNR bottom survey for Lake Waubesa lists 60% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 35% muck.
WDNR types Lake Waubesa as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Lake Waubesa: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, purple loosestrife, spiny waterflea 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 Waubesa
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Waubesa At Mc Farland, Wi | 4.62 ft gage height, 844.62 ft lake elevation | Oct 23 7:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 23, 2026 7:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Fishing regulations for Lake Waubesa
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Lake Waubesa.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 15" 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 | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. |
| 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. |
Every species on Lake Waubesa also falls under this note: 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.
From the Dane County section of the guide: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
For pike Lake Waubesa 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 Waubesa
Stocking records for Lake Waubesa: 3 entries, 75,788 fish, years 2024 to 2025.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12 in | 1,037 |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11.74 in | 1,037 |
| 2024 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.5 in | 73,714 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Contests held on Lake Waubesa
Upcoming Lake Waubesa events and past winners sit on a separate page.
Lakes near Lake Waubesa compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Waubesa | 2,074 | 38 | 4 | complex warm dark | |
| Upper Mud Lake | 2 miles north | 218 | 8 | 0 | complex riverine |
| Mud Lake near McFarland, Dane County | 2 miles southeast | 185 | 15 | 0 | complex riverine |
| Lake Monona | 4 miles northwest | 3,359 | 74 | 5 | complex two story |
| Grass Lake near Oregon, Dane County | 4 miles south | 30 | 9 | 1 | simple harsh no fishery |
| Lake Kegonsa | 5 miles southeast | 3,200 | 32 | 5 | complex warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Lake Waubesa
Lakes next door to Lake Waubesa
- Upper Mud Lake2 miles north
- Mud Lake near McFarland, Dane County2 miles southeast
- Lake Monona4 miles northwest
- Grass Lake near Oregon, Dane County4 miles south
- Lake Kegonsa5 miles southeast
Minnows and tackle close to Lake Waubesa
- Beach House Marinamarina, Mc Farland, 1 mile
- J & B Liquor and Baitbait and tackle shop, Mc Farland, 1 mile
- Walmart Mononafarm and general store with fishing gear, Monona, 3 miles
- Blue Crane Boat Worksmarina, Monona, 3 miles
- Farm & Fleet Of Madisonfarm and general store with fishing gear, Madison, 4 miles
- Quam's Marine & Motor Sportsmarina, Stoughton, 5 miles
Towns within reach of Lake Waubesa
- McFarland2 miles
- Monona3 miles
- Fitchburg5 miles
Lake Waubesa by county
- Dane Countyseat: Madison
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Lake Waubesa
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Know the fish of Lake Waubesa
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Waubesa: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Lake Waubesa in?
Look in Dane County, WDNR South Central Region, about 2 miles from McFarland.
How many acres does the WDNR give Lake Waubesa?
2,074 acres of water and 38 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Lake Waubesa at a public landing?
4 mapped landings, led by Babcock County Park Boat Ramp.
Which fish does the WDNR list for Lake Waubesa?
On file: largemouth bass (abundant), panfish (abundant), northern pike (common), walleye (common), catfish (present), muskellunge (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What size limits apply on Lake Waubesa?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Lake Waubesa?
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 Waubesa run?
Satellite clarity about 3.7 feet (2017). Bottom: 60% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 35% muck. WDNR class: complex warm dark. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Lake Waubesa?
Beach House Marina is about 1 mile from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Lake Waubesa?
WDNR stocked 1,037 muskellunge in 2025.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Lake Waubesa
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.