Trude Lake

Trude Lake

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Size
787ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Trude Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Trude Lake Overview

Preserved by the state, this area is a Mecca to both land and water recreation. Walleye are the dominant species. Trophy muskie over 50 are taken. Smallmouth numbers are increasing. 14,326 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 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.

Special Species Regulations

  • Smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 15, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14” to 18” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5.
  • Crappies: Open All Year: Minimum length for crappies is 10” and bag limit for panfish is 10 in total.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • 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.
  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: Walleye must be at least 12 inches, and only one may be over 15 inches. The daily bag limit is 3.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 50”, and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Largemouth bass: May 4, 2024 to June 14, 2024: No minimum length, but largemouth bass from 14” to 18” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5.

Features

The “wild and wonderful” Turtle Flambeau remains one of Wisconsin’s outstanding fishing destinations. The flowage was created in 1926 when the Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Company constructed a dam on the Flambeau River. The dam flooded 11 natural lakes and formed an impoundment of 14,326 acres. In 1990 the State of Wisconsin purchased 12,000 acres of surrounding land, 114 miles of shoreline and 195 islands. The outstanding wilderness aesthetics are a major attraction. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to protect the plant and wildlife communities and preserve its scenic qualities. The Wisconsin DNR allows primitive camping on a first-come first-serve basis at designated sites. The camping areas are only accessible by water and at the present time, a fee is not charged. The flowage has the highest number of bald eagle, osprey and common loon breeding pairs in any Wisconsin lake. Shore birds and migratory waterfowl use the flowage as a breeding and staging area. Anglers and boaters should be aware of the many unmarked shallow rock bars and submerged stumps that can cause navigation problems. Floating wood is always a consideration for navigation.

Forage

Walleye prey heavily on young-of-the-year perch and minnow species. Mayfly larvae and crayfish are significant for walleye and smallmouth bass. Muskie feed primarily on white sucker. Golden shiner and bluntnose minnows are also present. Small numbers of cisco are present in the deeper water of the main lake basins.

Seasonal Movements

The largest concentration of spawning walleye occurs at the Turtle River inlet below Lake of the Falls. This area is protected as a seasonal fish refuge during the spawning period. Spawning fish also utilize the Flambeau and Manitowish rivers. The Manitowish River also has a fish refuge in spring. Due to warmer temperatures, this run usually occurs one week before the Turtle River migration. Walleye also spawn along the many miles of gravel and rock shoreline in the flowage and in the “beaver flats” region.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
73.33
0Statewide Range764.78

Trude Lake 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
2013
May
2016
Apr
2021
Jun
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
4.44
0Statewide Range80.53

Trude Lake 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
2013
May
2013
May
2021
Jun
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
8-18 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
14.69
0Statewide Range133.83

Trude Lake 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
2021
Jun
2023
Sep
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
2014
May
2016
Apr
View in the App
Northern pike
fish
14-24 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
4.9
0Statewide Range15.56

Trude Lake 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
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Perch
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
2013
May
2013
May
2021
Jun
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
51.11
0Statewide Range85.42

Trude Lake 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
2013
May
2021
Jun
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
62.22
0Statewide Range64.11

Trude Lake 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
2013
May
2021
Jun
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
11-19 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
12.59
0Statewide Range29.72

Trude Lake 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
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Tiger muskellunge
fish
31-32 in
Length Range
32 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
0.7
0Statewide Range1.25

Trude Lake Tiger muskellunge 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
Sep
View in the App
Walleye
fish
9-18 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
84.62
0Statewide Range105.87

Trude Lake 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
2021
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201629
View in the App

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