Fishing Pepin

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or simply looking to slow down by the water’s edge, Billy’s Hideout puts you right where the fish are biting.

Just minutes from your door, Lake Pepin—a broad, shining stretch of the Mississippi—offers legendary fishing for walleye, sauger, bass, northern pike, and panfish. Cast from the shoreline, launch your own boat, or join a local fishing guide for a day of effortless adventure and expert tips on where they’re biting best.

Your Fishing Options:

• Bring Your Own Gear: Launch nearby and fish the calm morning waters at your own pace.
• Rent Equipment: Local outfitters in Pepin and Lake City have rods, tackle, and even boats ready to go.
• Book a Guided Charter: Friendly local guides offer full- or half-day trips for every skill level, complete with gear, know-how, and great stories.

All You Need Is the Desire to Go.
From sunrise stillness to the glow of an evening bite, this is fishing at its best—easy, unhurried, and full of life.

Fishing the Pepin Waters – Find Your Style

Lake Pepin is large (≈ 24,500–25,500 acres) and part of Pool 4 (Mississippi River), which gives it river-lake characteristics: current, varying depths, flats, channels, backwaters. Lake Pepin (WI DNR Tips)

Here are some of the major species & sport-fishing opportunities:

• Walleye & Sauger – Frequently mentioned as sought after. For example: “some of the most sought-after fish … include walleye, sauger…”
• Northern Pike – A strong predator fish in the system; aggressive and fun for anglers.
• Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass – Especially around structure, flats, rock/shores. Lake Pepin (on Omnia Fishing)
• Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, etc.) – These provide good action, often in backwaters, flats, near structure. Lake Pepin (onX Maps)
• Catfish & other large river-type species – There are channel catfish, flathead catfish noted among the species list.
• White Bass / other “river” species – The river/large lake mix produces some schooling behavior (e.g., white bass) which can produce exciting fishing. Fishing on Lake Pepin (on Fishermap)

In terms of sheer diversity: one reference states “85 different species of fish … making this … one of the most popular places in the country for anglers.” Visit Lake City MN

✅ What resources & access are available to anglers

Here are the key supports and resources that make Lake Pepin friendly for fishing:

• Multiple public boat landings – On the Wisconsin side the DNR site lists 6 boat landings for Lake Pepin. Lake Pepin Boat Landings (WI DNR)  One of these boat landings is across the Great River Road from Billy’s Hideout, down Deer Island Road!
• Maps & data in fishing apps – For example, the OnWater app lists bathymetry, access points, species recommendations for Lake Pepin. onWater
• Guided fishing operations – For those who want to go with a guide, there are local guide services covering Pool 4 & Lake Pepin that target walleye, sauger, pike, panfish. Download our FREE Pepin Guidebook.
• Regulation info – The Wisconsin DNR has a “Fisheries Management” lake regulation page for Lake Pepin (WBIC 731800) covering open seasons, size limits for certain species. Fishing Regulations for Lake Pepin (WI DNR)
• Diverse habitat – Because Lake Pepin is a wide, slow part of the Mississippi River there are flats, backwaters, wings of the channel, wing dams, structure, sloughs etc. This provides options for different fishing styles. (See the guide/trip report commentary)
• Accessible from shore – For non-boat anglers, there are options for shore fishing, especially on the Minnesota side around Lake City. Visit Lake City MN

🧠 Tips & insights for getting the most out of Lake Pepin

Here are some practical observations that might help you when you head out:

• Fishing style matters – Because of the river component, many productive spots are along channel edges, wing dams, structure that interrupts current, flats adjacent to depths. For example: “The wing dams in the river sections … are starting to get some nice Walleye, Bass and Bluegills” from a guide report.
• Match your method to species –
  • For walleye/sauger: dragging jigs with bait, lead-core trolling, vertical jigging, 3-way rigs have all been used.
  • For panfish: look for wood, rock, weed edges, flats, backwaters; use small jigs, soft plastics, light line.
  • For pike: deeper flats or weed edges, structure where ambush happens; sometimes summer weedlines.
• Seasonality and conditions matter – Water temperature and flow impact fish location and activity. Low clarity or higher river flow may push fish into certain structure or backwater refuge. The guide reports mention water clarity of 1-3 ft and flow conditions for Pool 4.
• Use electronics / find the schools – On Lake Pepin, especially for walleye & sauger, guides recommend using side-imaging to locate schooling fish.
• Shore angling is viable – If you don’t have a boat, the Minnesota side (Lake City area) has shore access and boat launches; helpful if you just want a day trip. Fishing in Lake City MN
• Review regulations ahead of time – For example Wisconsin’s regulation page lists species, size limits: “walleye must be at least 18″, sauger at least 15″ …” on Lake Pepin. Wisconsin DNR
• Expect variety – Because the lake has many species, you might catch what you go after—or something different but fun (e.g., a panfish surprise).
• Consider guides if new – Especially helpful to learn structure, current-impacted zones, seasonal migrations of fish in this system. Many guide services list Lake Pepin as part of their Pool 4 offering.

Fishing Adventures Await!

at Billy’s Hideout

Book Today!