Big Eau Pleine Reservoir

Boat Ramps: 12
Access Points: 12
Species: 17

Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is a 6,348-acre lake located in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Formed in 1937 by damming the Wisconsin and Eau Pleine Rivers, this expansive reservoir features approximately 40 miles of shoreline to explore. With a maximum depth of 46 feet, the reservoir offers diverse fishing opportunities throughout the seasons. The water has low clarity and is classified as a eutrophic lake due to its weed growth and darker water color. Despite occasional fish kills since its construction, the fishery has proven resilient. The reservoir contains abundant fish habitat including stump fields, heavily vegetated bays and backwaters, man-made rip-rap, expansive sand bars, and rock flats.

Wisconsin licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Big Eau Pleine Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Big Eau Pleine Reservoir

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Wisconsin licenses and regulations

Wisconsin Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Wisconsin Fishing License

Wisconsin residents and non-residents 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Children under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license.

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Wisconsin Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Wisconsin Stream Access Laws

Floatable water is public in Wisconsin, and users are legally allowed access to all lakes and streambeds below the high water mark for recreational purposes. Though riparian owners can own streams, the public has legal access to those streambeds below the high water mark while engaged in water-related recreational activity.

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Take Big Eau Pleine Reservoir with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Big Eau Pleine Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Big Eau Pleine Reservoir to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.