Lake Winnebago: Come for the Fish, Stay to Play
Lake Winnebago is a premier fishing destination in eastern Wisconsin. Named after the Winnebago Native American tribe who lived in the region, this lake is the perfect place for your next fishing trip. But there is so much more to Lake Winnebago than fish! This lake is also popular with sportsmen of all sorts, and the area’s rich history is sure to enchant amateur historians. When you rent a Lake Winnebago lake house, you may come for the fish, but you will want to stay for the wealth of other entertainment options that you discover.
Fishing in Any Season
Lake Winnebago has 137,700 acres of surface area and 88 miles of shoreline, making it the largest lake in Wisconsin. This freshwater lake is considered to be one of the top walleye fisheries in the United Sates, and fishermen can also nab bluegill, muskie, sturgeon, northern pike, crappie, flathead and channel catfish, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. With all of these fish waiting to bite, Lake Winnebago is a popular fishing vacation spot. When you rent a Lake Winnebago lake house, you will have access to the lake’s 20 boat landings, so you can quickly get onto the water for a day of angling. In addition to landing a great catch, you may get a surprise on your line; a fisherman recently pulled up a 200-year-old flintlock rifle out of the lake.
Lake Winnebago is an all-season fishing lake, meaning that fishing is good throughout the entire year. In the winter, ice fishing is popular on the lake. Snow that accumulates on the ice is plowed away to keep fishing holes accessible. You can even try spearfishing for sturgeon! There are guides who help newbies get in on the hunt. For example, Rod-Bender Guide Service in Kaukauna offers sturgeon shack rentals that include use of a shack, spear, gaff hook, decoy, and (most importantly) a heat source. No matter which season or method you choose for fishing, renting a Lake Winnebago lake house will give you the perfect place to clean, cook, and dine on your fresh catch.
Sports on the Lake
Fishing isn’t the only sport that Lake Winnebago visitors can enjoy; windsurfers and kite surfers benefit from the steady winds across the lake. Boating is also a favorite activity, and it has been said that you can find more boats on Lake Winnebago than on the whole of the Mississippi River. Summertime swimmers will appreciate the public beach, sandy lakebed, and warm water temperatures that range from 75–85 degrees Fahrenheit. And hiking enthusiasts can find plenty of trails to explore in High Cliff State Park on the north end of the lake. No matter your sport, you’ll loving getting some exercise with the gorgeous lake as your scenic backdrop.
Local History in Oshkosh
One glance at a map of the Lake Winnebago area will tell you that this region is steeped in history—for example, many of the cities are named after Native American tribes and figures that populated Wisconsin throughout the centuries. Oshkosh is one of these cities, named after Chief Oshkosh. If your Lake Winnebago lake house is on the western side of the lake, you should plan a trip into Oshkosh to see the city’s 33 landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. These sites range from historic homes, churches, and businesses, most of them relating to the local booming lumber industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While some of these sites have been brought back to life as they once were, like the Morgan House, others have been converted to serve new purposes, like lumberman Nathan Paine’s rambling country house which is now Paine Art Center and Arboretum. Oshkosh also has a public museum where you can learn about the history of the town and its relationship with native peoples.
Visitors to Lake Winnebago lake house rentals often come back again to experience another unique season at the lake. If you visit for summer vacation to enjoy boating and swimming in a relaxed and fun environment, you should also consider coming back in the winter to try your hand at ice fishing and to see the Mason House decorated for Christmas. And each time you step into your Lake Winnebago lake house, your experience is sure to be unforgettable. |
