To encourage the growth of Lac Courte Oreilles game fish, a number of cribs have been placed in the lake by COLA and other organizations over the years. These cribs provide a hospitable environment for fish to spawn and grow, and they serve to reinforce our efforts and those of others to stock fingerlings and more mature fish.

Many anglers have found that fishing in the vicinity of the fish cribs leads to a good catch, because of the ample populations in the area and the relative lack of natural predators. Casting and bobbing directly over the pens is generally not a good idea, because the underwater obstacles can catch and snag your gear. But pulling back 20 to 100 yards frequently brings a good yield.

As of August 2003, there were six groups of fish cribs in Lac Courte Oreilles:

1. On the north shore of Victory Heights, 100 log and concrete pens were put in 15 - 25 feet of water, during the late 1960’s by the DNR.
2. At the mouth of Musky Bay and along the north shore, 50 aqua (plastic) cribs were sunk in 20 - 40 feet of water during 1991 by the DNR and the LCO Tribe.
3. On the Southeast side of Chicago Bay and the south side of Winter Bar, two groups of 30 aqua cribs were placed in 15 - 20 feet of water by the DNR, COLA, and Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin.
4. Along Wolf Point, 5 log cribs were set in 1993 by the LCO Tribe in 15 - 20 feet of water. Also 5 cribs were put into Little Lac Courte Oreilles in front of the St. Francis Church.
5. On the west side of Blue Goose Bar, 45 aqua cribs were put into 15 - 20 feet of water in 1999 by the DNR, COLA, and Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin.
6. On the Northeast side of Sweden’s Bar, 44 aqua cribs were put into 15 - 20 feet by COLA, Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin and the DNR during 2003.

A map showing the locations of these cribs is reproduced below. You can download a large copy of this map for your own use by clicking here. But please, don’t share this with non-COLA members. Make them join us first!