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Lac Courte Oreilles
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Lac Courte OreillesSawyer County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours10-foot typical interval · Sonar-derived depth (C-MAP Genesis) · Gaps interpolated · Not for navigation
Source: C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived)high confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthDepths decoded from C-MAP Genesis Social Map community sonar recordings (used with permission), covering 99% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 90-ft maximum depth. More accurate than a pure model, but still an estimate. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
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Fishing
Fishing at Lac Courte Oreilles
Fishery
Notable species
Northern PikeMuskyPanfishSmallmouth BassWalleyeLargemouth Bass
Angler reports · Fishbrain
What anglers catch here
Anglers have logged 305 catches on Lac Courte Oreilles via Fishbrain — 6 in the last 30 days, most recently on Jul 25, 2026.
Most-reported species
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Northern pike
- Bluegill
- Walleye
- Rock bass
Show 3 more species
- Muskellunge
- Yellow perch
- Black crappie
14 of the 305 logged catches didn’t name a species and aren’t listed above.
Seasonality
All fishOf the 305 logged catches, 269 carry a month and 258 carry a year; the charts cover those.
2025 had the most reports (65).
Recent measured catches
- Smallmouth bassJun 28, 20260.5 lb
- Smallmouth bassJun 28, 20260.3 lb
- Largemouth bassJun 24, 20260.8 lb
- Largemouth bassJun 24, 20261.5 lb
- Largemouth bassJun 24, 20261.5 lb
Counts reflect reporting activity, not fish populations. Waterbody location is provider-level; exact spots and angler details aren’t shown.
Fishery details for this lakeExplore this area on FishbrainWisconsin DNR fisheries survey
Fish population survey
Structured LakeList extraction from the 2024 DNR fisheries survey. Population estimates, density, and catch-rate indices use different units, methods, and scopes, so each value is presented in its original form rather than normalized against a different measure.
Survey indicatorsValues keep their source unit and method; unlike measures are not scaled or compared.
Management contextLake-specific 2024 Lac Courte Oreilles results. Fyke-net, electrofishing and joint DNR/GLIFWC adult-walleye estimate metrics retain their separate methods and effort scopes.
Wisconsin DNR's 2024 spring survey found a strong muskellunge fyke-net catch rate, a low adult-walleye density despite strong spawning-period net catches, abundant but somewhat smaller northern pike, high-quality black crappie, more abundant smallmouth than largemouth bass, and low-moderate bluegill abundance with solid size.
- Natural walleye reproduction had been very low for more than 10 years, leaving the population more reliant on stocking.
- DNR encouraged harvest of northern pike, particularly smaller fish, to help maintain lower density and improved size.
- The 2017 stocked muskellunge year class was prominent; continued 2021 and 2024 stocking was intended to support abundance.
Black crappie
9 fish/net-nightFyke-net CPUE for fish at least 5 inches · p. 290 percentShare at least 8 inches long · p. 264 percentShare at least 10 inches long · p. 2
Bluegill
90 fish/mileElectrofishing CPUE for fish at least 3 inches · p. 356 percentShare at least 6 inches long · p. 32 percentShare at least 8 inches long · p. 3
Largemouth bass
5 fish/mileElectrofishing CPUE for fish at least 8 inches · p. 360 percentShare at least 12 inches long · p. 314 percentShare at least 15 inches long · p. 3
Muskellunge
0.8 fish/net-nightFyke-net CPUE · p. 4
Northern pike
7 fish/net-nightFyke-net CPUE for fish at least 14 inches · p. 256 percentShare at least 21 inches long · p. 25 percentShare at least 28 inches long · p. 242 inchesMaximum captured length · p. 5
Smallmouth bass
12 fish/mileElectrofishing CPUE for fish at least 7 inches · p. 379 percentShare at least 11 inches long · p. 344 percentShare at least 14 inches long · p. 324 percentShare at least 17 inches long · p. 3
Walleye
15 fish/net-nightFyke-net CPUE for fish at least 10 inches · p. 288 percentShare at least 15 inches long · p. 233 percentShare at least 20 inches long · p. 21.2 adult fish/acreAdult population density · p. 4
2024 Spring Fisheries Survey Summary: Lac Courte Oreilles, Sawyer CountyMatched by exact wbic and name county · WBICs 2390800 · verified 2026-07-18Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey report; LakeList operator documented permission to leverage this report with source attribution.
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2025, when 78,832 fish were recorded across 4 entries.
2025
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Large Fingerling
14,4226.9 in average
2025
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Large Fingerling
27,5537.1 in average
2025
WalleyeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
11,8577.2 in average
2025
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Small Fingerling
25,0001.8 in average
2024
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
2,50313.5 in average
2024
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Large Fingerling
25,1457.6 in average
2024
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Small Fingerling
67,6381.9 in average
2023
WalleyeUpper Chippewa River · Small Fingerling
18,7001.9 in average
2023
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Small Fingerling
102,5882.2 in average
2022
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
24,7397.4 in average
2021
MuskellungeUpper Chippewa River · Large Fingerling
2,57013.6 in average
2021
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
25,6936.3 in average
Showing the 12 most recent records from 26 published entries.
NWS weather
Weather windows
Weather-based planning from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake — not a catch forecast.
Loading latest forecast…
Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Lac Courte Oreilles water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
68°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
Historical volunteer-monitoring record for this lake.
Last sampled date unknown
Individual readings are not retained for this lake — the index below is what the monitoring record summarizes.
39 five-year summer trophic state index · Oligotrophic. Very clear, low-nutrient water — often deep, with limited plant growth.
Lac Courte Oreilles - Deep Hole (LCO-4)Station 583046 · TSI based on Secchi
Historical record only — no current water-quality data exists for this lake. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.What visitors and local sources report
Lake experiences
Dated, source-linked observations about swimming and other lake activities. These are historical reports, not live conditions or a safety grade.
SwimmingSwimmer's itch
Mid-June guest report
One verified lodging guest said swimmer's itch affected a mid-June 2025 stay and recommended researching conditions before planning to swim. This is one visitor's experience at one shoreline.
Vrbo property 2119733 guest reviewsRead reports in context.
Conditions can change by date and shoreline. A report does not establish a lake-wide or current hazard, and no indexed report does not mean an issue has never occurred. Check current official notices before entering the water.
Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps2 converted map sheetsView DNR depth mapHistorical map · not for navigationFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Lac Courte Oreilles depth maps
2 converted map sheets. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Lac Courte Oreilles · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 2390800 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
5,139surface acres
90max depth feet
3public access points
45.9019, -91.4016latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchLac Courte Oreilles Access45.91285, -91.44023Managed by STATE(DNR)TOWN OF BASS LAKERamp surface: Concrete PanelsADA-accessible feature: YesVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchLCO Drive Boat Landing45.91342, -91.39982Managed by TOWNSHIPTOWN OF BASS LAKERamp surface: Concrete PanelsADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchVictory Heights Landing45.88548, -91.46408Managed by TOWNSHIPTOWN OF SAND LAKERamp surface: ConcreteADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Depth FAQ
How deep is Lac Courte Oreilles?
Lac Courte Oreilles is 90 feet deep at its deepest point and averages about 34 feet, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Lac Courte Oreilles?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Lac Courte Oreilles at a typical 10-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived) survey data.
Where does the Lac Courte Oreilles depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived). Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are derived from community sonar recordings (C-MAP Genesis Social Map, used with permission), with gaps between recordings interpolated; not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Mapsname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-14
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