Size
217ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Little Lac Courte Oreilles
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Perch
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Northern pike
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Brook trout
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Overview
Wisconsin's 8th largest lake is a trophy muskie hangout. A 60in.-class fish was taken from here. Northern are abundant. Both bass species, perch and bluegill also found.
Little Lac Courte Oreilles Map
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.
Special Species Regulations
- Bluegill: See Panfish
- Bowfin: See Rough Fish
- Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Channel catfish: See Catfish
- Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Crappies: See Panfish
- Flathead catfish: See Catfish
- Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass
- Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, of which only one smallmouth bass may be kept, and it must be over 18 inches
- Largemouth bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
- Longnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
- Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Smallmouth bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
- Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer
- Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply
- Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3
- White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Features
Lac Courte Oreilles is the largest natural lake in Sawyer County and the 8th largest in the State. The lake is managed as a trophy muskie fishery and special limits apply; check the current regulations booklet for details The east portion of the lake is within the Lac Court Oreilles Indian Reservation.
Forage
A number of minnow species, including trout perch and lake shiners contribute to an ample forage base. Juvenile panfish, especially bluegill and perch, are also important. Cisco, redhorse and small sucker are abundant and responsible for the fast growth rates of adult gamefish. Crayfish and mayfly larvae add to the abundant forage base.
Seasonal Movements
Surveys indicate extensive walleye movement into Whitefish Lake for spawning while smaller numbers annually spawn in Grindstone Lake. The major spawning area for muskie and northern pike has been Musky Bay.
Gamefish species, especially muskie and walleye, move to deep water by July to prey on the cisco forage. Larger northern pike also seek the cooler water temperatures and deep water cisco by July.
Get Your Line in the Right Water
Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.
Top Fish Species
Walleye
16-17 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2010
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
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
2008
Jun
2010
Apr
