Walleye Stocked · 21 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Lac Courte Oreilles fishing
Lac Courte Oreilles fishing is stocked with Walleye and Muskellunge on a natural lake. Also recorded: Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Bluegill x Pumpkinseed Hybrid, and 1 more. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Black Crappie, dawn and dusk for Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill.
- Last stocked
- 2025
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 26
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 2 (+7 also recorded)
- Average size
- 6.6 in
- Surface acres
- 5,135.7
Fish at Lac Courte Oreilles
Walleye Stocked · 21 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Muskellunge Stocked · 5 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk 
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Northern Pike species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Bluegill x Pumpkinseed Hybrid Confirmed present 
Tiger Muskellunge Confirmed present Lac Courte Oreilles is a popular fishing destination in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, known for its abundance of fish. The lake holds northern pike, musky, walleye, and bass. Visitors can access the lake from public boat landings, and find panfish and largemouth bass within its waters. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports northern pike are abundant, while musky, panfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye are common. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Lac Courte Oreilles is stocked
About 104 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 15 lakes in Sawyer County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
28,950
Fish stocked in 2011
2,519
Fish stocked in 2014
16,404
Fish stocked in 2016
4,512
Fish stocked in 2017
55,827
Fish stocked in 2018
30,204
Fish stocked in 2019
25,660
Fish stocked in 2020
4,090
Fish stocked in 2021
43,992
Fish stocked in 2022
24,739
Fish stocked in 2023
121,288
Fish stocked in 2024
95,286
Fish stocked in 2025
78,832
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 11,857 | 7.23 in | report |
| 2025 | Walleye | 27,553 | 7.1 in | report |
| 2025 | Walleye | 14,422 | 6.93 in | report |
| 2025 | Walleye | 25,000 | 1.8 in | report |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 2,503 | 13.5 in | report |
| 2024 | Walleye | 25,145 | 7.6 in | report |
| 2024 | Walleye | 67,638 | 1.9 in | report |
| 2023 | Walleye | 102,588 | 2.2 in | report |
| 2023 | Walleye | 18,700 | 1.88 in | report |
| 2022 | Walleye | 24,739 | 7.4 in | report |
| 2021 | Walleye | 15,729 | 7.1 in | report |
| 2021 | Walleye | 25,693 | 6.25 in | report |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 2,570 | 13.6 in | report |
| 2020 | Walleye | 4,090 | 7.6 in | report |
| 2019 | Walleye | 25,660 | 6.48 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 9,204 | 7.3 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 21,000 | 1.6 in | report |
| 2017 | Walleye | 51,353 | 5.32 in | report |
| 2017 | Muskellunge | 3,474 | 12.64 in | report |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,000 | 6.7 in | report |
| 2016 | Walleye | 4,512 | 6.8 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 11,973 | 1.63 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 400 | 8.3 in | report |
| 2014 | Muskellunge | 4,031 | 11.7 in | report |
| 2011 | Muskellunge | 2,519 | 9.8 in | report |
| 2010 | Walleye | 28,950 | 2.4 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Hayward, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock
Three public landings. DNR's Lac Courte Oreilles Access has a concrete-panel ramp, a boarding dock reached by an ADA-accessible walkway, vault toilets and 25+ stalls. Town landings off Court Oreilles Lake Road and Victory Heights Circle are back-in ramps with very little parking.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you go.
About Lac Courte Oreilles
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Lac Courte Oreilles?
Fishing Lac Courte Oreilles usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 21 of 26 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge. Walleye was last stocked 2025, averaging 5.3 in. Muskellunge was last stocked 2024, averaging 12.2 in. Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass, plus 3 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lac Courte Oreilles stocked?
Last stocked 2025. It is stocked about 1.6 times a year since 2010. About 104 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 15 lakes in Sawyer County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2012, 2013, and 2015.
How big are the fish stocked at Lac Courte Oreilles?
Stocked fish average 6.6 in. Walleye average 5.3 in. Muskellunge average 12.2 in.
How do you get on Lac Courte Oreilles?
The nearest town is Hayward, WI. Facilities include restrooms and dock. Three public landings. DNR's Lac Courte Oreilles Access has a concrete-panel ramp, a boarding dock reached by an ADA-accessible walkway, vault toilets and 25+ stalls. Town landings off Court Oreilles Lake Road and Victory Heights Circle are back-in ramps with very little parking.