Lac Courte Oreilles 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.
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
- Smallmouth bass: June 15, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
- Largemouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: 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.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 15, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, 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.
- Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
Features
Forage
Seasonal Movements
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Fish Species
Lac Courte Oreilles Bluegill abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.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.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.Lac Courte Oreilles Crappie abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Lac Courte Oreilles Largemouth bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Lac Courte Oreilles Muskellunge abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.| Survey Year | Largest Fish (in) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 20 |
Lac Courte Oreilles Northern pike abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.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.Lac Courte Oreilles Pumpkinseed abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Lac Courte Oreilles Rock bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.Lac Courte Oreilles Smallmouth bass abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.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.Lac Courte Oreilles Walleye abundance
Average range for similar lakes
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.
