Fishing Regulations for Lower Eau Claire Lake - Bayfield, Douglas County
General Waterbody Restrictions
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.
Fishing Regulations
NOTE: Regulations listed below may not reflect fish species actually found in the lake. See
Lower Eau Claire Lake's WI DNR Lake Page for more information on this lake's characteristics.
| Fish |
Season |
Regulation |
| Bullheads |
Open All Year |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Catfish |
Open All Year |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Cisco And Whitefish |
Open All Year |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake Sturgeon |
Closed |
No fishing allowed. |
| Largemouth Bass |
May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025 |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass |
April 1, 2025 to May 2, 2025 |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, no minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, of which only one smallmouth bass may be kept, and it must be over 18 inches. |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids |
May 24, 2025 to December 31, 2025 |
The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern Pike |
May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026 |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Paddlefish |
Closed |
No fishing allowed. |
| Panfish |
Open All Year |
No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| 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 possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
| Ruffe |
Open All Year |
The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon |
Closed |
No fishing allowed. |
| Smallmouth Bass |
June 21, 2025 to March 1, 2026 |
The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Smallmouth Bass |
May 3, 2025 to June 20, 2025 |
Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Trout |
See specific regulations |
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/. |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids |
May 3, 2025 to March 1, 2026 |
The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| White Perch |
Open All Year |
The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
