Fishing near Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Winnebago County, population 66,816.
- 5 milesto nearest lake
- 10landings nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Fishing near Oshkosh
66,816 people called Oshkosh home in 2020; the city lies in Winnebago County. Count on about 5 miles northwest to reach Lake Butte des Morts, the closest lake listed. Among the lakes listed, Lake Winnebago is largest with 131,939 acres. For a ramp, William Steiger Park Boat Ramp is under a mile away.
Nearby, 3 lakes hold walleye rated common or abundant; Lake Winnebago is first by distance. The closest classified trout stream with a page is the Silver Creek, Fond du Lac County, 18 miles away. Winnebago County Community Park sits 4 miles from town for anglers on foot.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lakes near Oshkosh
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | DNR lake class | Top fish (WDNR rating) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Butte des Morts | 5 miles northwest | 8,581 | 9 | 3 | complex warm dark | catfish (abundant) |
| Lake Winnebago | 8 miles east | 131,939 | 21 | 20 | complex warm dark | catfish (abundant) |
| Hogers Bayou | 10 miles west | 51 | 4 | 0 | complex riverine | catfish (abundant) |
| Lake Winneconne | 12 miles northwest | 4,553 | 9 | 2 | complex warm dark | catfish (abundant) |
| Rush Lake, Winnebago County | 14 miles southwest | 2,729 | 5 | 2 | simple warm dark | panfish (common) |
| Little Lake Butte Des Morts | 14 miles north | 1,200 | 18 | 2 | complex riverine | catfish (abundant) |
Rivers near Oshkosh
- West Branch Fond Du Lac River14 miles
- Rat River, Winnebago County15 miles
- Silver Creek, Fond du Lac County18 miles, 1.9 trout miles
- Killsnake River20 miles
- East Branch Fondulac River20 miles
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Oshkosh; WDNR Find a Lake and lake classification data.
Oshkosh on the map
- William Steiger Park Boat RampFox River, under a mile
- Rainbow Park Boat RampFox River, under a mile
- Mill Street Boat RampFox River/Lake Winnebago, 2 miles
- Menominee Park Boat RampLake Winnebago, 2 miles
- Fugleburg Park Boat RampLake Winnebago, 2 miles
- Lake Winnebago AccessLake Winnebago, 2 miles
- 24th Avenue Boat LaunchLake Winnebago, 3 miles
- Doemel Point AccessLake Winnebago, 3 miles
- Asylum Point Park & Boat LandingLake Winnebago, 4 miles
- Lake Butte des Morts Boat LandingLake Butte des Morts, 5 miles
WDNR shore sites a short drive from Oshkosh
- Winnebago County Community ParkFishing Lake, 4 miles
- Marble Pond Shore Fishing AccessMarble Pond (wolf River), 10 miles
- Pony Creek Shore Fishing AreaLake Poygan, 20 miles
- Berlin Locks Fishing PierFox River, 20 miles
USGS gauges around Oshkosh
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Oshkosh, Wi | 2,130 cfs, 6.36 ft gage height | Oct 22 5:05 am |
| Wolf River At Winneconne, Wi | 3,370 cfs, 8.90 ft gage height | Oct 22 5:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 5:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Shops around Oshkosh
Minnows and tackle close to Oshkosh
- Lakeside Marinamarina, Oshkosh, under a mile
- Kubasta's Landingmarina, Oshkosh, under a mile
- MidWest Rental Company & Fox Harbor Marinamarina, Oshkosh, under a mile
- Spellman's Marina LLCmarina, Oshkosh, under a mile
- Fox River Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Oshkosh, under a mile
- Marinamarina, Oshkosh, 1 mile
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 1015 N Washburn Stbait and tackle shop, Oshkosh, 1 mile
- Fleet Farm Oshkoshfarm and general store with fishing gear, Oshkosh, 1 mile
Guide trips around Oshkosh
- Anglin' Adventures Fishing Guide Serviceice fishing guide, Oshkosh, (920) 479-8872
Tournaments in the county around Oshkosh
| Date | Event | Water | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-25 | Uwsp Fall Open Winneconne | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-10-03 | Wbtt Championship Winnebago Chain | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-10-03 | Wisconsin Elite Series | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-09-26 | Wcasstt Butt De Morts | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-09-20 | Angler's Choice Northern Wisconsin | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-09-18 | Wi B.a.s.s. Nation State Championship | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-08-29 | Rcba Club Closed Event | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-08-28 | Aim Bell Ford Wisconsin State Championship | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Walleye |
| 2026-08-23 | Lake Winnebago Clubber | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-08-22 | Winneconne Clubber | Winnebago Upriver Lakes | Basses |
WDNR Calendar of Permitted Tournaments for Winnebago County, checked October 2026.
Record catches from water by Oshkosh
| Species | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gar, Shortnose | 5 lbs. 1 oz. | Lake Butte des Morts | 2018 |
| Logperch | 0 lbs. 0.8 oz. | Lake Winnebago | 2023 |
| Perch, Yellow | 3 lbs. 4 oz. | Lake Winnebago | 1954 |
| Sturgeon, Lake | 212 lbs. 3.2 oz. | Lake Winnebago | 2010 |
Season rules for Oshkosh anglers
| 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 |
2026-2027 Wisconsin Hook and Line guide; pike row for the Southern Zone (south of US Highway 10) by the town position. Each lake page shows that lake rule.
Around the area of Oshkosh
Towns within reach of Oshkosh
- Butte des Morts7 miles
- Omro9 miles
- Winneconne10 miles
- Van Dyne10 miles
- Neenah11 miles
Oshkosh by county
- Winnebago Countyseat: Oshkosh
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Oshkosh
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Know the fish of Oshkosh
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Trip questions heard in Oshkosh
Which lake with a page is closest to Oshkosh?
Lake Butte des Morts, 5 miles northwest.
Which WDNR ramp is closest to Oshkosh?
William Steiger Park Boat Ramp at under a mile.
Which shore site is closest to Oshkosh?
Try Winnebago County Community Park, 4 miles out.
Where do anglers in Oshkosh buy tackle?
Lakeside Marina is nearest at under a mile.
Where should Oshkosh anglers go for walleye?
Lake Winnebago, 8 miles away, where the WDNR rates walleye abundant.
Which county page should Oshkosh anglers open?
Winnebago County, Wisconsin.
Is there classified trout water near Oshkosh?
The Silver Creek, Fond du Lac County, about 18 miles, 1.9 trout miles.
Which northern pike zone does Oshkosh fall in?
Around Oshkosh it is the Southern Zone (south of US Highway 10).
How much is a nonresident license near Oshkosh?
Visitors can buy $15 one-day, $29 four-day or $33 fifteen-day licenses.
Choose a Wisconsin lake near Oshkosh
Choose any lake above for its regulations.