White Bass
White Bass are abundant throughout Wisconsin, particularly thriving in the Winnebago lakes system, Wisconsin River from Petenwell downstream, and Mississippi River waters.
Scientific Name: Morone chrysops
- These silvery-white fish typically measure 10-15 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, featuring narrow dark stripes along their sides and two distinct dorsal fins.
Fishing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin River
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Lake Poygan
Castle Rock Lake
Spencer Lake
Little Wolf River
Wolf River
Fox River
McDill Pond
Wisconsin River Flowage
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- They inhabit large lakes, reservoirs, and rivers with their native range including the Great Lakes, Ohio River, Mississippi River, and Red River drainage systems.
Key Locations
- Winnebago lakes system, Wisconsin River from Petenwell downstream, Mississippi River waters, Lake Winnebago, the Wisconsin River system, and Mississippi River waters.
Specific Spots
- Target tributary mouths, creek channels, and moving water during spawning period.
- Summer fishing in open water 10-20 feet deep.
- They prefer open waters of large lakes and reservoirs during summer, moving to tributary mouths and rivers during spring spawning runs.
White Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in Wisconsin?
1/8 ounce marabou jigs in white, yellow, or chartreuse; small spinners (Rooster Tail in gold/chartreuse or silver/white); lipless crankbaits like 1/8 ounce Rat-L-Traps; floating jerkbaits (Rapala F5-F7); spoons (1/8 ounce Cleo spoons, Kastmasters); soft plastic swimbaits like 2-inch Keitech Easy Shiners on 1/16 ounce...
What flies work for White Bass in Wisconsin?
Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers, and finesse streamers in white, chartreuse, and shad patterns.
When is the best time to fish for White Bass in Wisconsin?
Prime fishing occurs during spring spawning runs from mid-March through early May. Summer fishing remains productive. Wisconsin's season runs continuously year-round.
How do you catch White Bass in Wisconsin?
Vertical jigging over deepwater flats and trolling 10-20 feet down works well in summer. Fish dawn, dusk, and overcast conditions for best results.
What do White Bass eat?
White Bass are aggressive carnivorous feeders that consume calanoid copepods, cyclopoid copepods, daphnia, and leptodora as juveniles, transitioning to shad, minnows, and small fish as adults. They're visual feeders.
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