Lake Butte des Morts

Lake Butte des Morts

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Size
8603ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Butte des Morts
Bass
Bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Catfish
Catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White bass
Yellow Bass
Yellow Bass

Lake Butte des Morts Overview

The upriver lakes of the vast Winnebago system. The annual spring runs of walleye and white bass are particularly famous and attract thousands of anglers each year. Fishery boasts nearly 20 species of gamefish and panfish. Featured species include, walleye, white bass, channel catfish. 27,466 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

  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
  • Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
  • Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the WINNEBAGO CHAIN including CINCOE LAKE, LAKE POYGAN, LAKE WINNEBAGO, LAKE WINNECONNE, PARTRIDGE CROP LAKE, PARTRIDGE LAKE
  • Open all year for all species except muskellunge, northern pike, flathead catfish and lake sturgeon.

Special Species Regulations

  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office.
  • Channel catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25 in total, but only 24 if one flathead catfish is included.
  • Flathead catfish: May 4, 2024 to September 30, 2024: The minimum length is 30, but flathead catfish from 36” to 42” may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 1.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: See specific species regulations in this group.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Sauger and hybrids: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 1.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag is 3, only one of which may be a sauger or hybrid.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 50” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 transported to a WDNR Office.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office.

Features

Lakes Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts are the “upriver lakes” of the vast Winnebago system. These “upriver lakes” cover 27,466 acres. The annual spring runs of walleye and white bass are infamous nationwide and draw thousands of anglers. These large, shallow lakes can become quite rough in windy conditions. Constant monitoring of weather conditions is advisable for anglers especially those with small boats. Navigation in off-channel areas of Lake Butte des Morts can be hazardous for larger boats due to shallow water areas and unmarked rock piles. Pay close attention to marker buoys which point out navigational routes.

Forage

Juvenile carp, redhorse, white sucker, golden shiner, emerald shiner, spottail shiner, log perch, trout perch and juvenile panfish are key species in an abundant forage base. Gizzard shad are significant although they tend to cyclically die-off and reemerge. Crayfish are also present. Aquatic insect hatches also have a great impact on the forage base.

Seasonal Movements

Lake Butte des Morts receives the entire run of Lake Winnebago walleye as they migrate up the Fox or Wolf Rivers. There is a tendency for spawning walleye to return to the same area, or at least their natal river, year after year. Lake Poygan walleye begin their upstream movement approximately one to two weeks before walleye move up from Lake Winnebago. In an average year, the walleye migration will be completed during the month of April. The Winneconne walleye movement up the Wolf River occurs after the Poygan movement because Winneconne lacks tributary streams flowing into it. Winneconne harbors a tremendous influx of walleye as they move up from Lake Winnebago. A significant number of white bass move through Lake Winneconne during the months of April and May. From June through August, white bass are loosely schooled in the open-water basins of the lake. Tighter schools are formed in the fall. The white bass migration through Poygan lasts the entire month of May.
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Fish Species

Bass
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
Bluegill
fish
3-4 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.76
0Statewide Range764.78

Lake Butte des Morts Bluegill 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
2023
Aug
2023
Aug
View in the App
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
0.01
0Statewide Range0.18

Lake Butte des Morts Channel catfish 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
2022
Jun
2023
May
View in the App
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
3.33
0Statewide Range80.53

Lake Butte des Morts Crappie 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
2021
May
2023
May
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201515
View in the App
Flathead 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
2019
May
2021
May
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
18
0Statewide Range133.83

Lake Butte des Morts Largemouth bass 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
2022
May
2023
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
2015
Apr
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201515
View in the App
Northern pike
fish
30-31 in
Length Range
31 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
1.11
0Statewide Range15.56

Lake Butte des Morts Northern pike 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
2023
Aug
2023
Aug
View in the App
Perch
fish
5-6 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.01
0Statewide Range0.74

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
2023
Aug
2023
Aug
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
20
0Statewide Range85.42

Lake Butte des Morts Pumpkinseed 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
2023
May
2023
Aug
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
5
0Statewide Range64.11

Lake Butte des Morts Rock bass 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
2021
May
2022
May
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.76
0Statewide Range29.72

Lake Butte des Morts Smallmouth bass 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
2023
May
2023
May
View in the App
Sturgeon
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
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
10-15 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
8.33
0Statewide Range105.87

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
2023
Aug
2023
Aug
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201515
View in the App
White bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
1.72
0Statewide Range6.96

Lake Butte des Morts White bass 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
2023
May
2023
May
View in the App
Yellow Bass
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
Apr
View in the App

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