Natural lake (Yahara chain)

Lake Waubesa

Dane, Wisconsin

Lake Waubesa is a 2,074-acre lake in Dane County, part of the Yahara chain near Madison, with a maximum depth of 38 feet. WDNR lists panfish and largemouth bass as abundant, and northern pike and walleye as common.

Air temp in Mc Farland, WI Not available right now.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Lake Waubesa (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area2,074 acres

Max depth38 ft

Shoreline15 mi

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Listed as abundant by WDNR

Bluegill●●●●○

Panfish listed as abundant

Crappie●●●●○

Panfish listed as abundant

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Panfish listed as abundant

Northern Pike●●●○○

Listed as common by WDNR

Walleye●●●○○

Listed as common by WDNR

Muskellunge●●○○○

Listed as present by WDNR

Smallmouth Bass●●○○○

Listed as present by WDNR

Channel Catfish●●○○○

Catfish listed as present by WDNR

Boat launches

2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Lake Waubesa public boat landingsPublic
WDNR lists 4 public landingsDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Walleye Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027	15 in	3 / day
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027	14 in	5 / day
Northern Pike Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027	26 in	2 / day
Muskellunge May 2 to Dec 31, 2026; open water only	50 in	1 / day
Panfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	25 / day
Catfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10 / day
Trout See specific trout regulations	Varies	Varies

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Wisconsin DNR before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Highway 51 Liquor And BaitNearby
McFarland, WI(608) 838-1424 Directions ↗
Harley's Liquor & BaitNearby
3838 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53714(608) 222-7941 Directions ↗
D&S Bait, Tackle & Fly ShopNearby
Madison, WI(608) 241-4225 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Lake Waubesa ↗

Local tips

Fish weed edges for bass and panfish
Wisconsin's record yellow bass came from this lake
Check WDNR for current limits

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Wisconsin lakes

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.