Category: bullhead lake

New Fishing Regulations Effective April 1, 2026

3 men in a boat with fishing gear and cold weather apparel.

New Fishing Regulations (Effective April 1, 2026)

At the February 26, 2026 Meeting of Manitowoc County Lakes Association, Jason Breeggemann, WI-DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist, discussed the new regulations designed to balance fish populations that take effect across several county lakes on April 1.

  • Long Lake: 25 panfish daily limit, including no more than 5 bluegill

  • Bullhead Lake and Pigeon Lake: 10 panfish daily limit

  • Cedar Lake: Northern pike 25–35 inch protected slot limit, daily bag of 2; 10 panfish daily limit (max 5 bluegill)

  • Silver Lake: 26-inch minimum length for northern pike, daily bag limit of 2.

  • English Lake: 10 panfish daily limit (max 5 bluegill)

  • Harpt Lake: 10 panfish daily limit (max 5 yellow perch)

photo credit Scott Otterson

Updated: March 4, 2026 — 3:07 pm

New Fisheries Surveys for Long and Bullhead Lakes

A 10" bass

Survey Results Highlight Fish Population Trends in Local Lakes

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently completed comprehensive fisheries surveys on Long Lake and Bullhead Lake to evaluate fish populations and guide future management decisions. The surveys used fyke netting and electrofishing to measure fish abundance, growth, and size structure.

Jason Breeggemann, Senior Fisheries Biologist, presented results at the MCLA Meeting on February 26, 2026.

Long Lake

The 2025 survey found healthy northern pike and panfish populations in Long Lake. Biologists collected 3,396 fish from 13 species during netting surveys and 296 fish from 10 species during electrofishing.

Key findings include:

  • Northern Pike: Moderate–high abundance with an average size of 23.6 inches and fish up to 35 inches. Strong evidence suggests the population is being sustained by natural reproduction.

  • Black Crappie: Very abundant (96th percentile statewide), though most fish top out around 9–10 inches.

  • Bluegill: Moderate–high density with good growth rates and size structure.

Managers will continue monitoring natural pike reproduction and adjusting panfish regulations to maintain a balanced fish community.

Bullhead Lake

Bullhead Lake showed a different population structure, with very high numbers of largemouth bass and relatively fewer panfish.

Surveys captured 283 fish representing nine species during netting and 348 fish representing five species during electrofishing.

Key findings include:

  • Northern Pike: Moderate population dominated by older fish, suggesting limited recruitment of young pike.

  • Walleye: Low abundance, though survival from 2023 stocking efforts appears promising.

  • Largemouth Bass: Extremely abundant (99th percentile statewide) but slow-growing due to overcrowding.

  • Bluegill: Low–moderate abundance with good growth potential but few large individuals.

Managers recommend removing the minimum size limit for largemouth bass to reduce overcrowding and improve growth. Continued walleye stocking and monitoring of the pike population are also planned.

Updated: March 4, 2026 — 3:52 pm

2025 Annual Banquet

READ THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THIS EVENT

Annual Banquet
Saturday, Oct 11, 2025

Location: Viking Bow and Gun Club, 13431 Rusch Rd, Valders
Organized and hosted by the English Lake Association in conjunction with MCLA.

Time: 4:00 PM – Social time with cash bar
5:30 PM – Buffet dinner catered by the Altona

Program to follow:

Phil DeCastro

Speaker: Phil DeCastro, Meteorologist at WLUK-TV FOX 11, Green Bay

Phil has been a meteorologist at WLUK-TV for 14 years, after spending 2 years at WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan. He has a degree in meteorology from Penn State University, and since coming to this region has developed a deep appreciation for the crucial links between weather, climate, and our local environment and ecosystems.

Annual meeting, election of officers, awards, 50/50 raffle and door prizes will follow the speaker. Door prize donations from Lake Associations or individuals are welcomed. Please inform Kim of door prize commitments.

RSVPs and door prize commitments due no later than Friday, October 3rd
to Kim Braun at kimskattebo@icloud.com or phone/text (920) 973-2390.

Cost: $20 per person, payable at the door, cash or check only payable to “MCLA.”

We look forward to seeing you at the banquet.

Updated: February 2, 2026 — 5:01 pm

Temporary Panfish Rule in Effect through 2026

updated May 1, 2024.

The temporary panfish limits rule that went into effect April 1, 2016 applies through March 31, 2026.

The initial 5-year evaluation period ended March 31, 2022 and results are being analyzed.

Six Manitowoc County lakes are affected.

  • Bullhead Lake: No minimum length limit; during May and June, 15 panfish may be kept, but no more than 5 of any one species. During the remainder of the season, 25 panfish may be kept.
  • English Lake: 15 panfish may be kept, but no more than 5 of any one species (all year).
  • Harpt Lake: 25 panfish may be kept, but no more than 10 of any one species(all year).
  • Long Lake: 15 panfish may be kept, but no more than 5 of any one species (all year).
  • Pigeon Lake: 25 panfish may be kept, but no more than 10 of any one species (all year).

These regulations appear in the Manitowoc County section of the local rules in the Wisconsin fishing regulation book.

View the most recent Panfish Rule informational sheet
Any questions please contact Jason Breegemann
(920) 420-4619 or Jason.Breeggemann@wisconsin.gov

originally published Jan 29, 2016

Updated: May 1, 2024 — 1:46 pm

Bullhead Lake Moves to Next Level

Property owners get OK to form district to better manage financial needs

by Todd S. Bergmann. Reprinted with permission from the 12-26-19 issue of the Valders Journal.

 

The Manitowoc County Board last week approved creation of a lake district for Bullhead Lake as a means to fund treatment of water quality issues.

Read more

Updated: August 14, 2020 — 9:43 am

Special Panfish Regulations on Five Area Lakes

March 26, 2016 – Five Lakes in Manitowoc County have been selected by the DNR for special regulations on panfish to be effective beginning April 1, 2016. Those lakes are Bullhead, Long, Pigeon, English and Harpt Lake.  A total of 94 lakes across the state were identified by biologists and anglers as underperforming – that is the mean length of bluegill and crappie is less than desirable but growth potential is good. The goal is to determine the best regulation that will increase the average size of bluegill and crappie on the selected lakes. Ultimately, a single regulation will be chosen and used to address similar lakes not meeting Panfish management goals. The effectiveness of each regulation will be evaluated in 2021. Read more

Updated: January 20, 2017 — 6:53 pm

Walleye reef on ice… that’s nice!

March 2015 – Larrabee Sportsman’s Club vice president Dan Dufek and fellow members built a walleye spawning reef on top of the ice on Bullhead. As the ice melts, the structure will be deposited on the bottom of the lake. Read more

Updated: February 6, 2026 — 12:24 pm