Largemouth Bass

Rochester, Wisconsin, offers some classic southeastern Wisconsin largemouth bass fishing. The Fox River flows through the area, providing riverine habitat, but the nearby lakes and ponds are the real draw. Spring and fall are the peak seasons. During the spring prespawn and spawn, target shallow bays and shorelines with woody cover using spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or soft plastics. As the water warms in summer, bass will move deeper, relating to weed lines and submerged structure. Try fishing these areas with Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, or deep-diving crankbaits. The fall months see bass feeding aggressively to prepare for winter, so topwater lures and swimbaits can be very effective. A local tip: The Fox River can be accessed from several public boat launches and parks in the area. Be aware of current conditions, especially after heavy rains. Also, many smaller lakes in the area have limited access, so research boat launch availability beforehand.