Boat Launch Permits are issued by
Manitowoc County Planning, Zoning & Parks Dept.
4319 Expo Drive, PO Box 935
Manitowoc, WI 54221-0935
Category: bullhead lake
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
Lake Volunteers Needed
MCLA, with volunteers, continues to conduct annual water quality testing of our county lakes—if there is a volunteer monitor on the lake.
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.
DNR 2017 Bullhead Lake Report Now Available
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