WABTA Big Green Lake Open

The Wisconsin Alliance of Bass Tournament Anglers, Wisconsin’s largest team bass circuit, returns to Dodge Memorial County Park Ramp on County Road K in Markesan on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the annual Big Green Lake Open. Registration opens at 5:30 AM, the tournament begins at 6:00 AM, and weigh-in closes at 2:00 PM. Entry is $300 per team and includes the Big Bass pot award and online registration processing. WABTA’s structure rewards the best four of five season results for Team of Year standings, so the Big Green Lake stop carries real competitive weight for teams chasing a full-circuit title.

Big Green Lake is the deepest natural lake in Wisconsin at 236 feet, and that depth fundamentally changes how bass behave here compared to the shallower prairie lakes most Wisconsin tournament anglers know. Largemouth and smallmouth both thrive in the lake’s clearer, colder water, and the transition from shallow structure to deep drop-offs happens faster than most lakes in the region. Anglers who know how to read the edges of those transitions, particularly on the northeast arm and around the deeper offshore structure, tend to separate themselves by day’s end. The minimum size for weigh-in is 14 inches. Penalties apply for dead fish at a rate of one pound per fish.

> Tournament Rules at a Glance
> – Teams of two; solo entries permitted under warm-water rules with a three-fish limit.
> – Five-fish aggregate limit per team. All bass must measure at least 14 inches with mouth closed.
> – Fishing is confined to Big Green Lake. No fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump.
> – Polygraph testing applies to all competitors. Refusal or failure results in disqualification.
> – All competitors are bound by Wisconsin DNR regulations.

## Sponsors and Community

Local and regional businesses support the event alongside WABTA’s circuit structure. Hausz Contractors, MacGillis and Wiemer, Crush City, Action Boat House, and Napa have all backed this stop in prior seasons, reflecting the tournament’s standing in the regional bass fishing community. WABTA’s year-end qualifying championship is free to qualify for through the season series, which is one of the reasons its events draw both club regulars and open anglers looking to earn a spot.

## Why Big Green Lake Rewards a Longer Visit

Markesan sits in Green Lake County, and the surrounding area offers a legitimate lake weekend for families who come along with a competing angler. Green Lake itself, a mile or so from Dodge Memorial, is Wisconsin’s oldest resort destination, with a small-town strip of restaurants, ice cream shops, and a city beach on the water. Families can spend tournament day on Green Lake while the angler fishes, and the entire group reconvenes for weigh-in and dinner. For something to do with kids, the Wild Eats restaurant and the beach at Hattie Sherwood Park in the town of Green Lake are both easy afternoon options.

> Good to Know
> – Dodge Memorial County Park Ramp is on County Road K, Markesan, WI. Navigation apps handle the route accurately from both Madison (60 miles) and Milwaukee (75 miles).
> – June on Big Green Lake typically runs warm and sunny with calm morning conditions that can shift to afternoon wind on the open water. Bring layers for the early launch.
> – Nearby a rooftop-view Green Lake hideaway on Lake.com puts your group right on the water near the tournament site, with a dock, grill, and fire pit to close out tournament day properly.

## Plan the Overnight

Green Lake has a full range of vacation rental options along its shoreline, from compact two-bedroom cottages to larger group homes with boat access. Browse available properties around Big Green Lake on Lake.com to find something that suits both the competition weekend and any extra time your group wants to spend on the water after weigh-in.