Little Lake Butte Des Morts

Little Lake Butte Des Morts

View in the App
Size
1202ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Little Lake Butte Des Morts
Bluegill
Bluegill
Catfish
Catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sauger
Sauger
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White bass

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Overview

This water boasts a large population of walleye, mostly in the 12-to 23-inch range. Northern pike, largemouth bass, perch and bluegill are present in good numbers. Winnebago is known throughout the country for its lake sturgeon spearing season. 137,708 acres

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Waterbody Regulations

  • Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
  • Hook and line fishing is open all year for fish species except muskellunge, lake sturgeon, trout, paddlefish and threatened or endangered species.

Special Species Regulations

  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: Only two northern pike may be kept, and pike between 25-35” must be released.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 3.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: Open All Year: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.

Features

Lake Winnebago, the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, allows navigation through the Fox River inlet to lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan. The Lake Winnebago system leads to the inlet of the Wolf River. Lake Winnebago’s self-sustaining lake sturgeon population is rated as one of the finest in North America. The traditional winter spearing season in 2004 produced a sturgeon weighing in at 188 lbs! Ice fishing Lake Winnebago for walleye, perch, white bass and sturgeon is popular with anglers throughout the nation. Check with local fishing guides and marinas regarding pressure cracks or areas of weak ice around currents. Careful navigation close to shore and near islands is urged. Shallow unmarked reefs and sand bars can be hazardous. Rapidly changing weather should also be observed. Special fishing regulations apply to Lake Winnebago and connecting waters. Consult the Wisconsin fishing regulations for details.

Forage

Trout perch, emerald shiner, young-of-the-year freshwater drum (sheepshead) and carp are the most abundant forage. Lake fly larvae (red worms) provide an important food source for sturgeon. The bottom-dwelling red worms hatch into lake flies in mid-May. Gizzard shad can be significant although they tend to cyclically die-off and reemerge. Crayfish are also present.

Seasonal Movements

Studies indicate that the older, larger walleye move upstream to spawn in the marshes along the Wolf River, while young walleye tend to spawn in the Fox River and along the west shore of Lake Winnebago. The spawning run usually lasts 7 to 10 days and generally occurs between April 8 and 18. Most fish are caught after spawning as they return downstream. The white bass run usually lasts from early-to-mid May. The largest concentrations of fish are found in the Fox and Wolf Rivers, up to New London.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
43.08
0Statewide Range764.78

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
Catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Channel catfish
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2015
Mar
2020
Mar
View in the App
Crappie
fish
11-12 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.77
0Statewide Range80.53

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
8-18 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
26.15
0Statewide Range102.12

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.28
0Statewide Range0.33

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
May
2020
Mar
View in the App
Perch
fish
5-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2021
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.97
0Statewide Range0.74

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
4-6 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
20.77
0Statewide Range85.42

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
39.23
0Statewide Range64.11

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Sauger
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2015
Mar
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
8-18 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
13.85
0Statewide Range29.72

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
11-20 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
20
0Statewide Range105.87

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App
White bass
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2021
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.54
0Statewide Range6.96

Little Lake Butte Des Morts White bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Mar
2021
May
View in the App

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