Lake Koshkokong
Did you know Lake Koshkonong is not a true lake but flooded marshland? In 1851, Western European settlers to the area built the first Indianford dam which eventually created the lake visible today. Imagine what the first inhabitants in the area saw and experienced. prior to the damming of the marsh area. The Woodland Indians and later the Ho-Chunk built camps along the shoreline. The Potawatomi migrated for the East Coast in the 17th century to avoid conflicts with the tribes in that region. According to a Wikipedia entry, "The Iroquois colonized the northern shore of Lake Ontario and sent raiding parties westward all the way to Illinois Country. The tribes of Illinois were eventually defeated, not by the Iroquois, but by the Potawatomi." Lucien B. Caswell an early Western European settler described the marshland "as a flowing stream so densely packed with wild rice and celery that it was hard to even navigate in a canoe."
Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings, public beaches. The lake's water clarity is very low.
The large, shallow lake can whip up chop quick in a storm due to its' shallow depths. Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
Lakeview Campground Beach
Address: 1901 E. State Rd. 59, Milton
A private campground on Lake Koshkonong, just north of Milton. Water is sampled at the licensed swimming beach. Choose from water recreational activities like swimming, fishing, skiing, and boating.
Lakeland Campground Beach
Address: 2803 E. State Rd. 59, Milton
Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds
Address: W7561 Koshkonong Mounds Rd,
Visit the historic, sacred grounds of Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds, near Ft. Atkinson. The 11 remaining mounds overlooking the lake were built by people living in the region between 700 - 1100 A.D. Wisconsin has the highest number of effigy mounds in the U.S. No other country in the World contains as many well preserved indigenous mound building sites as our state does.
Wide-open Walleyes On Koshkonong, Wisconsin's Eighth Largest Lake
by Jeff Brown, staff writer for the Edgerton Reporter
One hundred and sixty-nine years ago Lake Koshkonong was a vast marsh. sac, Fox, Potawatomi and Winnebago (Ho-chunk) tribes lived along Read More
Ice Fishing Tips:
In late January to early February panfishing is good most notably perch and pike. Walleye bite is sometimes variable due to its' popularity with anglers but Lake Koshkonong has an "exceptional" adult walleye population, according to DNR fisheries biologist Don Bush.Shiner. There are four public access points for Kosh. Try the end North Shore Rd, It is quiet but anglers are finding perch there. Also check out Vinnie HaHa Road there’s action going on there. Norm’s Hideaway Bar & Grill (closed) at end of Kuahn Road off Carcajou road is good place to enter Kosh as well. Try out Royce-Dallman park off N. Charlie Bluff Road.
Lake Koshkonong is a year-round fishery so there are no restrictions for fish. Once the ice melts away Walleye will start to become active with water temps around 40 -45F. Look for Walleye getting active post spawning in late April
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Lake Koshkonong In Depth
| Lake Info. | Data |
|---|---|
| Area | 10,595 Acres |
| Max. Depth | 7 feet |
| Median Depth | 5 feet |
| Boat landings | 4 |
| County | Dane, Jefferson, Rock |
| Fish | Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Catfish |
Lakeside Dining
Lakeview Campground and Bar
Unquestionably one of Lake Koshkonong’s favorite hang out destinations. Lakeview’s bar and grill is a favorite place for great drinks, music, and atmosphere, not to mention that great outdoor dining options with the best view of the lake! More
Parks Nearby
(Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Historic Society)
Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds
Located on a wooded hillside overlooking Lake Koshkonong the Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds are a great way to spend the day around Fort Atkinson. This historic and spiritual site features 11 mounds dating between 600 - 1200 A.D.
The name used on the interactive map to the right is "Indian Mound County Park."
Koshkonong Wildlife Area
The 800 acre Koshkonong Wildlife Area bordered on the west along the shoreline of Lake Koshkonong and north by the Rock River features a deep-water marsh, surrounded by deciduous forests. The wildlife area is wild in every sense hikers will find the park challenging as there are no marked trails. For Fishermen and kayakers there is a and low bush areas.
On the south side of the property, there is a small portion of uplands primarily consisting of existing and restored oak savanna. The Rock River can be accessed by a boat launch to the northeast off the west end of Groeller Road. On the west side of Koshkonong Wildlife Area, Lake Koshkonong can be accessed by a boat launch located at the north end of Vinnie Haha Road off of Mounds Road.
To find Koshkonong Wildlife Area, go south of Fort Atkinson on U.S. Highway 26 and watch for access to Old Highway 26 on the west side of the highway. Head south on Old Highway 26 to Mounds Road, turn west and the southernmost parking lot is immediately on the right or north side.
Towns Nearby
FT. ATKINSON
Home to one of the largest suppliers of farm supplies, toys and educational materials in the U.S., the world's only intaglio effigy mound, and of course the venerable Fireside Theater.
Here is more about Ft. Atkinson.
JANESVILLE
In last two years, close to $42 million of private and public funding has flowed into downtown Janesville according to the Janesville Gazette. Some of that transformative money has already kickstarted renovations along the downtown streets and the city’s infrastructure. One noteworthy example is the ornate, Milwaukee Avenue bridge...
Here is more about
Janesville
