What Dunnville Bottoms offers anglers

Dunnville Bottoms is a 1,200-acre backwater complex along the Menomonie River in Dunn County, Wisconsin, roughly 15 miles downstream from Menomonie itself. The area is defined by slack water, submerged timber, and soft bottom—conditions that hold walleye year-round and pike during spring and fall. Unlike the faster current sections upriver, Dunnville Bottoms plays like a lake, which means you can work structure methodically instead of drifting with the current.

The bottoms earned their name honestly: the riverbed here is silt and muck, with scattered wood and vegetation that create the kind of cover walleye hunt in low light. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer night fishing produces when daytime gets slow. Winter is possible but requires careful attention to current breaks and deeper holes where fish concentrate.

Key Takeaways

  • Dunnville Bottoms holds walleye and pike in slack water where the Menomonie River widens, making it accessible by boat from the public landing at Dunnville.
  • Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are the most consistent seasons, with walleye active in shallow structure and pike cruising the edges.
  • Soft bottom and submerged timber mean jigs and live bait outperform crankbaits; work the wood slowly and let the bottom tell you where the fish are.
  • Summer night fishing under lights or during low-light hours produces walleye when daytime temperatures push fish deeper into the thickest cover.
  • The public landing at Dunnville provides the only practical access; the area is narrow and winding, so a 16- to 20-foot boat handles better than a larger rig.

How to reach Dunnville Bottoms and where to launch

The Dunnville public landing sits on County Road D in the village of Dunnville, about 8 miles south of Menomonie on Highway 25. The ramp is a single-lane concrete launch with limited parking—expect to arrive early on weekends. The landing is maintained by Dunn County Parks and is open year-round, though winter access depends on snow removal.

From the landing, head downstream (north) on the Menomonie. The bottoms begin roughly a mile downriver and extend for several miles. The current is gentle here, and the channel is well-marked, but the river narrows in places and snags are common. A GPS unit or river map is worth carrying; the bends look similar, and it is easy to overshoot a productive spot on the way back.

If you are coming from Menomonie, the drive is about 20 minutes. Dunnville itself is small—a few houses and a tavern—so bring fuel and supplies with you. Cell service is spotty in the bottoms, so file a float plan with someone on shore if you are fishing alone.

Spring walleye fishing in the shallows

April and May are when Dunnville Bottoms shine. Walleye move into 4 to 8 feet of water as the river warms, and they hunt hard in the low light of dawn and dusk. The soft bottom and wood create ideal conditions for a jig-and-minnow combo: a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce jig tipped with a live shiner or fathead, worked slowly along the bottom.

Focus on the outside bends where the current has carved deeper pockets, and along any visible wood or root wads. Cast parallel to the bank rather than perpendicular; you will cover more productive water and hang up less often. Lift the jig 6 to 12 inches, pause, and let it settle. Walleye in spring often take the bait on the drop, so keep your line relatively tight and watch for the subtle tap.

Early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and the last hour before dark are most productive. Midday fishing is possible but slower; if you are on the water at noon, move to the thickest cover and fish deeper (8 to 12 feet) where light penetration is lowest.

Fall pike and walleye patterns

September and October bring pike into the shallows as water cools, and walleye become more aggressive across a wider range of depths. Pike hunt the edges of weed beds and timber; walleye scatter through the structure but concentrate in slightly deeper water than spring. A 1/2-ounce jig with a 4-inch soft plastic (white, chartreuse, or natural colors) works for both species.

For pike specifically, try larger baits: 6-inch shiners or small suckers under a slip bobber, positioned just above the wood. Pike will follow a bait down and strike decisively. Set the hook hard; pike have bony mouths and a light hookset often fails. Walleye in fall respond to the same jig-and-minnow approach as spring, but you can fish a bit faster and cover more water.

Water temperature in fall ranges from the low 50s to the high 40s by late October. Dress in layers; the wind on the water is colder than the air temperature, and a sudden weather change can make the river uncomfortable fast. Check the forecast before you leave the landing.

Summer night fishing and low-light tactics

Daytime summer fishing in Dunnville Bottoms is slow because walleye retreat into the deepest, thickest cover to escape heat and light. Night fishing changes that equation. Walleye move into 4 to 6 feet of water after dark and hunt actively. A headlamp with a red filter (to preserve night vision) and a jig-and-minnow setup are all you need.

Fish the same structure you would in spring, but work it at night. The lack of light means walleye are less cautious; you can use slightly heavier jigs (3/8 to 1/2 ounce) and fish a bit faster. Some anglers use small crankbaits at night with success, but the soft bottom and wood make a jig safer and more effective.

Summer also offers low-light windows: heavy cloud cover, rain, or the hour or two around sunrise and sunset. If you can only fish during the day, target these windows and focus on the deepest holes and thickest wood. A slow presentation is critical; walleye in summer are not aggressive, and a bait that moves too quickly will be ignored.

Winter conditions and ice-out timing

Winter fishing at Dunnville Bottoms is possible but requires caution. The Menomonie is a flowing river, and current under the ice can create thin spots and pressure ridges. The bottoms freeze later than shallower sections upriver because the deeper water and current slow ice formation. Typically, safe ice forms by mid-December, but always check with local bait shops or the Dunn County Parks office before heading out.

Walleye in winter concentrate in the deepest holes—10 to 14 feet—and move very little. Jigging with live minnows is the standard approach. Tip-ups with shiners also work, but you will spend a lot of time waiting. The payoff is solitude and the chance at larger walleye; winter fish are less active but often bigger than their spring and fall counterparts.

Ice-out typically occurs in late March or early April. The river can rise quickly as ice breaks, and current becomes dangerous. Do not fish the bottoms during ice-out; wait until the water clears and stabilizes before launching.

Tackle and technique essentials

A 6- to 6.5-foot medium-light spinning rod with 6- to 8-pound braided line is ideal for Dunnville Bottoms. Braid cuts through the soft bottom better than monofilament and gives you better feel for the jig. A 2- to 3-foot fluorocarbon leader (6-pound test) reduces visibility without sacrificing sensitivity.

Jigs in 1/4- to 1/2-ounce sizes cover most conditions. Keep a mix of colors: white, chartreuse, and natural (brown or olive). Live bait—shiners, fathead minnows, and crawfish—outperforms artificials in this water. A small aerator or bait bucket with a battery-powered bubbler keeps minnows lively through a long day.

A GPS unit or smartphone with a river map app helps you relocate productive spots and navigate the winding channel. A net is essential; walleye and pike in the 18- to 24-inch range are common, and landing them by hand risks losing the fish and getting hurt. Bring polarized sunglasses for spotting wood and shallow structure, especially in spring and fall.

Regulations and seasonal closures

Wisconsin walleye season runs year-round in the Menomonie River system, with a daily bag limit of five fish (only one over 15 inches). Pike season is also year-round with a daily limit of five fish. Check the current Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fishing guide before you fish; regulations can change, and the Menomonie is part of a specific management zone.

The Menomonie River is open to public fishing, but respect private property along the banks. Do not trespass or camp on private land. The Dunnville landing is public, and you have the right to fish from your boat, but shore fishing is limited to public easements and designated access points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to fish Dunnville Bottoms?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are most consistent. Water temperatures are moderate, walleye are active in shallow structure, and pike move into the shallows. Summer is possible with night fishing; winter requires ice and caution about current.

Can I fish Dunnville Bottoms with a large boat?

A 16- to 20-foot boat is ideal. The channel is narrow and winding, and larger rigs are difficult to maneuver. The landing itself is small, so confirm you can fit your trailer before launching. A smaller boat or canoe gives you access to shallower areas and is easier to control in tight bends.

Do I need a guide to fish Dunnville Bottoms?

No, but a guide familiar with the river can save you time and help you locate productive structure. Local bait shops in Menomonie can recommend guides and provide current information about water levels and fish activity.

What should I do if I hook a snag in the timber?

Slack your line and let the current work the jig free. If that fails, carefully motor upstream and try to lift the jig from a different angle. Snags are common here; carry extra jigs and accept that you will lose some. Heavier jigs (3/8 to 1/2 ounce) hang up less often than lighter ones.

Is there a bait shop near Dunnville?

The closest shops are in Menomonie, about 20 minutes away. Stock up on minnows, jigs, and supplies before you head to the landing. Dunnville itself has no services, so plan accordingly.