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For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Lake Wisconsin 16 mi
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0 
Columbia County 5.5 mi
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0 
Crystal Lake, Dane County 22 mi
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Lake Mendota 35 mi
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wisconsin rivers
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 $129.99
Big Slough Fishing
Columbia County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Big Slough: James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Wisconsin rivers
The basics of the Big Slough for anglers
Across Columbia County, the Big Slough runs as a stream. DNR mapping covers close to 10 miles. Census points put Portage closest, about 6 miles out.
Boaters and paddlers can use 1 public landing.
10miles mapped
1counties
0USGS gauges
1landings
Access
Getting onto the Big Slough
- Big Slough Public Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, Columbia County
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Limits by species on the Big Slough
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike (south of Hwy 10) | 2; minimum length 26 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass | 5; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Southern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum length 40 inches | May 2, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026 (open water only) |
| Panfish | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Catfish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Bullheads and rough fish | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
For the Big Slough, the table shows statewide inland limits for the zone south of Hwy 10.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
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Around the area of the Big Slough
Lakes next door to the Big Slough
- Amey Pond5 miles
- Mason Lake, Adams County5 miles
- Silver Lake, Columbia County5 miles
- Weeting Lake5 miles
Minnows and tackle close to the Big Slough
- Walmart Portagefarm and general store with fishing gear, Portage, 4 miles
- M And M Tackle It Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Portage, 5 miles
- Runnings #110farm and general store with fishing gear, Portage, 5 miles
- Dw Mens Wear & Sportssporting goods store, Portage, 6 miles
- Holiday Shores Marinamarina, Wisconsin Dells, 11 miles
Towns within reach of the Big Slough
- Briggsville5 miles
- Portage5 miles
- Endeavor9 miles
- Dekorra11 miles
Other Wisconsin rivers near the Big Slough
- Neenah Creek6 miles
- Leech Creek9 miles
- O Keefe Creek9 miles
- Rowley Creek9 miles
the Big Slough by county
- Columbia County
Piscifun
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for the Big Slough
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs
Photographs from waters near Big Slough
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Answers
Questions anglers bring up about the Big Slough
Which Wisconsin counties does the Big Slough cross?
The WDNR places it in Columbia County.
Is the Big Slough classified trout water?
Not classified trout water.
Where can I check current flow for the Big Slough?
There is no USGS gauge on it.
Is the Big Slough a river I can paddle and fish?
1 public landing on file, including Big Slough Public Access.
Which WDNR rules cover the Big Slough?
Statewide inland limits apply unless the county section says otherwise.
What does a nonresident pay to fish the Big Slough?
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.
Where can I buy bait on the way to the Big Slough?
Nearest listing: Walmart Portage, 4 miles off.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in the Big Slough?
The sources used list no fish for it.
Which Census place sits near the Big Slough?
The closest Wisconsin place is Portage, 6 miles out.
Point the truck toward the Big Slough
Look at flow and regulations before the trip.