Size
5,140ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Lac Courte Oreilles
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Rock bass
Northern pike
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Perch
Tiger muskellunge
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.
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
- Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass.
- Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25
- Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- 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
- Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply.
- Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
- Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Bowfin: See Rough Fish.
- Flathead catfish: See Catfish.
- Longnose gar: See Rough Fish.
- Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids.
- Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer.
- White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Bluegill: See Panfish.
- Crappies: See Panfish.
- Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish.
- Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Channel catfish: See Catfish.
- 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
- Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: 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
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Northern pike: May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026: 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 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
- Smallmouth bass: May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
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.
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Top Fish Species
Crappie
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2021
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
2021
Jun
2021
Sep
