Best Lakes for Fishing Near La Crosse
Wisconsin
4 fishing lakes within driving distance of La Crosse, Wisconsin, ranked by water quality and fishing-specific filters. Filtered for documented fish species (3+) and public access. Ranked by water quality and species diversity.
Lakes near La Crosse are sparser (4 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Sidie Hollow Lake (B) is the standout.
Filtered for fishing, the nearby-lake list narrows further. fishing-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the LakeGrade rubric in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sidie Hollow Lake | Vernon | B | 23 mi | 12 ft | 22 ft |
| 2 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 26 mi | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 3 | Upper Backwater Lake | Jackson | D | 48.7 mi | 3.5 ft | 19 ft |
| 4 | Lake Tomah | Monroe | F | 37.8 mi | - | 19 ft |
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.