Fishing

Lake Kegonsa is an excellent fishing lake year-round. Boat rentals and live bait are available from local vendors. A fishing license is required for all anglers.

Lake Kegonsa is known for its many varieties of fish and angling opportunities. Lake Kegonsa is best known for its walleye and panfish populations. Depending on the season, anglers can target these species with good success. Northern pike fishing is also good during certain times of the year, with pike in the 35- to 40-inch category caught quite regularly. Smallmouth bass are also popular species found in the lake, often caught while fishing walleye.  

Fishing action on Lake Kegonsa is very good as soon as inland game fishing opens on the first weekend in May. Walleyes can be found over freshly developed weedbeds and rock bars. Preferred tactics include using live bait rigs and casting crankbaits over the tops of weeds. Trolling crankbaits is becoming a popular tactic used by local anglers. Do not be surprised if a northern or bass is caught as well.

Bluegill and crappie action heats up during May. Look for crappies over shallow weed beds early in May as they prepare to spawn. Once the crappies move into spawn they can be caught in 2 to 3 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with crappie minnows are a sure bet for success. Late May into early June is also a good time to fish bluegill. Bluegills move into shallow water to spawn and are quite fun to catch.

As June progresses look for fish on the edges of weed beds. Mixed bag catches of walleye, perch, bluegill, crappie, and bass are caught. Use slip bobbers and live bait rigs tipped with nightcrawlers and worms. Don’t be afraid to fish after dark for walleye. Hellgrammites and waxworms can be productive on panfish as well.

As summer progresses and the water warms, look for trophy northern pike fishing anywhere cool water can be found. Look for cool water near springs and immediately after a rainfall look for cool water near creek mouths. During the summer bass, walleye, and northern are caught off the parks’ shoreline. 

As fall approaches walleye and panfish action heats up again. Tactics used during early summer are useful during this time as well. Winter ice fishing is also popular on the lake.