Fishing in the Wisconsin Dells: Finding the Perfect Spots

When you vacation at Birchcliff Resort, you’ll be tucked away in an idyllic stretch of wilderness next to the Dells of Wisconsin River State Nature Area and only a mile and a half from downtown Wisconsin Dells. This gives you easy access to both nearby eateries, bait shops, and other local stores, as well as our ¾-mile nature trail that leads directly to beach access on the Wisconsin River.

And after a relaxing day of casting your line, you’ll love retiring to one of our modern cabins and cooking your catch on our charcoal grills then serving it up on our picnic tables. Other onsite amenities you and the family will appreciate include:

Anglers looking for the best fishing spots have come to the right place, because we’ve compiled a quick overview of all the prime locations.

• The Wisconsin River below the Dells Dam – With its famed, scenic cliffs and undeveloped shoreline, this is one stretch of the Wisconsin River you’ll certainly want to visit. Look for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, white bass, sauger, flathead catfish, and lake sturgeon. Tour boat traffic can affect some areas and disrupt fishing, so it’s best to target early morning and late evening.

• Lake Delton – If you’re looking for a fairly shallow lake to fish in, Lake Delton is ideal. This 254-acre lake has a maximum depth of 16 feet, and boasts species like panfish, walleye, bass, and northern pike. Look for the public boat landing at the corner of East Adams Street and Canyon Road, open from May through September.

• Mirror Lake State Park and Dell Creek – Mirror Lake is a 137-acre impoundment of Dell Creek that features water depths ranging from 10 to 19 feet, and enforces a strict slow-no-wake policy to create a calm fishing experience. Key species found there include catch-and-release largemouth bass, panfish, and catch-and-take northern pike. Nearby Dell Creek is a cold-water trout stream that flows directly into the lake and is also a viable fishing spot.

• Petenwell Lake and Castle Rock Lake – These two Wisconsin River reservoirs are both great options for your fishing checklist. The former spans 23,000 acres and offers walleye and muskie in deep channels, while the latter spans 14,000 acres and offers walleye, bass, and panfish along with a highly developed shoreline.

• Devil’s Lake State Park and Hulburt Creek Fishery – Devil’s Lake is a 368-acre lake ideal for shore fishing and targeting stocked brown trout, while Hulburt Creek incorporates a Class 1 brook trout stream and Class 2 brown trout stream.

• Age restrictions – Any resident or nonresident fishing in the area who is 16 years or older must possess a valid fishing license.

• Season dates – For 2026, the general inland season opened on May 2. Inland trout season has been scheduled from April 4 through October 15, and the inland musky season is scheduled from May 2 to December 31. Lake sturgeon catch-and-release spans from June 6, 2026 to March 7, 2027 in select waters.

• Standard daily bag limits – Anglers must adhere to daily limits of 5 bass, 5 walleye/sauger, 25 panfish, 1 musky, and 2 northern pike.

Keep yourself well-stocked and prepared by frequenting these great shops in the Wisconsin Dells area:

• B&H Trout Fishing & Bait Shop – Located at 3640 State Hwy 13, this family-owned shop has been in operation for over 75 years and offers live bait, tackle, gear, and even two spring-fed ponds with rainbow, brook, and brown trout where no license is required.

• River’s Edge Bait Shop and Boat Rental – Located at 20 Rivers Edge Road, this shop is right on the Wisconsin River, making it perfect for grabbing some live bait or securing a boat rental.

• Schleef’s Bait Shop – Located at 1141 E Hiawatha Drive near Lake Delton, you’ll find everything you need for a great fishing trip at this shop.

• Fish Bones Guide Service LLC – If you’re in need of a guide for the area, Eric Owen is a fine choice, as he has more than 30 years of experience fishing in the local lakes, creeks, and rivers. His specialties include bass, walleye, sturgeon, and panfish.

• Redbeard Bowfishing – With guided bowfishing charters of the Upper Dells, this is a great company to choose if you’re targeting carp, catfish, or sheepshead. Equipment is provided.

Give yourself the best base of operations for your Wisconsin Dells fishing trip by staying at Birchcliff Resort. We offer cabins packed with amenities and modern conveniences that can sleep 2, 4, 6, 8, 14, 20, or 22 guests, so no matter how large your party is we’ve got you covered!