Fishing
The Viroqua area has some of the best fishing an angler could ask for, year round. With 250 miles of classified trout water, 63 spring creeks, and several lakes, Vernon County is as good as it gets. But don’t stop there. The Mississippi River is a short, scenic drive away. With walleye, bass, pike, pan fish and more, this area is truly a fishing haven.
Trout Fishing
The Viroqua area offers some of the best spring creek fishing in the world, featuring hundreds of miles of prime wild trout water, and dubbed “Montana of the Midwest” for this reason. The natural reproduction of trout is so good that fish are transplanted from our streams to other places in Wisconsin. The area’s most celebrated Class I trout streams, the West Fork of Kickapoo and Timber Coulee, are less than 10 miles away, and much of our water is public and available through many access points. Please click here for a map of regional trout streams.
Walleye Fishing
The nearby Mississippi River offers exceptional walleye fishing year round, especially the Genoa Dam downstream to De Soto. Spring and fall are the peak periods for Walleye action here. Shore fishing is also widespread along the Mississippi River and access is easy from Hwy 35, the Blackhawk Recreation area just north of De Soto, Bad Axe River Boat Launch, Lock Dam # 8 at Genoa, Stoddard or Goose Island Park north of Stoddard.
Bass Fishing
Numerous dams built over the years have created several 40 to 80 acre lakes that today are managed for quality fishing, especially for large and small mouth bass, although blue gills and crappie abound as well. Most of these lakes are surrounded by county parks with well-maintained walking and hiking trails, plus handicapped accessible fishing docks.
Ice Fishing
Shortly after Thanksgiving the lakes of Vernon County begin to freeze and signal the start of ice fishing. These Inland lakes provide excellent blue gill and crappie ice fishing, while the Mississippi River offers tremendous walleye, pike, bass and pan fishing.
For more on fishing location maps, seasons, and other information visit click here.