feet at its deepest spot and is quite weedy, with milfoil being the dominant weed. Bluegills are the most common species of fish that you’ll catch, with crappies a close second. Most bluegills run 7–9 inches and the crappies are in the 10–12 inch range. The weeds provide cover and help the slough’s food chain flourish. dnr.wi.gov/lakes | 608-635-8122
The Baraboo River flows about 100
miles from its headwaters, near Hillsboro, to its confluence with the Wisconsin River, south of Portage. Access can be obtained at numerous locations, including Rock Springs, North Freedom at Fireman’s Park, Giese Park on Hatchery Road, several parks within the City of Baraboo and at the Glenville Landing. Reports of crappies, bluegills and channel catfish are common. Northern pike and walleye are being caught throughout the river. Smallmouth bass fishing along the rapids through the City of Baraboo is a regular occurrence. dnr.wi.gov | 608-635-8122
Rock formations carved into Cambrian sandstone along the Dells corridor of the Wisconsin River.
The Wisconsin River is the longest
river in Wisconsin, at over 430 miles, and is known for outstanding walleye fishing. The Wisconsin River begins near Lac Vieux Desert and flows southwest into the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien. The spring walleye run on the Wisconsin River is legendary, and you can catch over 50 in a day, with great catches coming below dams. When the water warms after the spring runs, you can catch a large number of smallmouth bass. The rocky banks of the Wisconsin River provide ideal habitat for smallmouth bass.
Photograph by Matt Pasteris
You can also catch big muskies after they spawn in May below the dam, and the fishing can continue to be good through fall. The backwaters of the Wisconsin River are popular spots to catch northern pike, crappie and bluegills. dnr.wi.gov | 608-635-8122
The quiet beauty of Mirror Lake.
VISIT DNR.WI.GOV FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AREA LAKES AND WATERWAYS. explore BARABOO 2018 ! 47