Lake Butte des Morts

Lake Butte des Morts

View in the App
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 in Lake Butte des Morts

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

  • 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
  • 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.
  • Open all year for all species except muskellunge, northern pike, flathead catfish and lake sturgeon.

Special Species Regulations

  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0. One may be killed and transported to a WDNR Office.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: See specific species regulations in this group.
  • 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.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: Open All Year: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 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: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • 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.
  • Sauger and hybrids: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 1.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • 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.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.

Lake Butte des Morts 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.
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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 Range756.91

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
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 Range0.2

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
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
3.33
0Statewide Range80.13

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
No Survey Data
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
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
18
0Statewide Range133.44

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
No Survey Data
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
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
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
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
No Survey Data
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
5
0Statewide Range64.26

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
No Survey Data
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.76
0Statewide Range28.41

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
No Survey Data
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 Range106.53

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
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 Range6.97

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
No Survey Data
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
No Survey Data

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