L ake Onalaska and the Black River offer anglers an opportunity to fish for several species either through the ice during winter or by boat or from shore during the warm weather months. Largemouth bass can be taken in the stump fields and near dropoffs. Best lures are spinner baits and plastic worms. The stump fields can also provide excellent fishing for northern pike using spinner baits. Small mouth action can be found near the new islands.
Crappie action can be hot fishing the dredged-out areas.
Small jigs and minnows are the lure of choice. Bluegills proivde anglers with many hours of enjoyable, productive fishing. The key to this action is fishing the vegetation. Popper fishing for bluegills is also very popular on the lake, especially in the spring when they are on the spawn beds. Bullheads provide plenty of action.