Lake Butte des Morts

Infobox lake
lake_name = Big Lake Butte des Morts
image_lake = LakeButteDesMortsWisconsin.jpg
caption_lake = The lake
image_bathymetry =
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location = Wisconsin
coords =
type =
inflow = Fox River, Wolf River
outflow = Fox River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|8800|acre|km2|0
depth = convert|9|ft|m|0
max-depth =
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residence_time =
shore =
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Big Lake Butte des Morts (pronEng|ˌbjuːdəˈmɔər [ [http://www.misspronouncer.com/ Miss Pronouncer: Hear how to pronounce; The Wisconsin pronunciation guide for cities, counties, Indians & lawmakers ] ] ) is an convert|8800|acre|km2|0|sing=on lake located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and is part of the Winnebago Pool (also known as the "Winnebago System"). The lake is fed by the Fox River in the southwest and the Wolf River draining from Lake Winneconne in the northwest, and drains via the Fox River southeast into Lake Winnebago. Much of the lake is flooded marshland created by the damming of the Fox River downstream in Menasha in the 1800s, which explains the lake's flat and shallow character (maximum depth is 9 ft). U.S. Route 41 spans the east end of the lake via. a bridge and causeway combination. The city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin lies between Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago.

Big Lake Butte des Morts is popular among both fishermen and recreational boaters during the warm months, and with ice fishermen in the winter. A marked navigation channel helps passage across the lake from the inflow of the Wolf River to the west (connecting to Lake Poygan), to the outflow of the Fox River east to Lake Winnebago. While in the same general location, it is not connected to Little Lake Butte des Morts, a smaller lake to the north downstream of the Winnebago Pool. Big Lake Butte des Morts served as part of the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway.

Fish species found in the lake include walleye, drum, white bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp, flathead and channel catfish, northern pike, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill and sturgeon. Sunset Point, located near the U.S. Highway 41 bridge, is one of the most popular walleye fishing spots on the Winnebago System.

The name "Butte des Morts" was given by French settlers, and means "Hill of the Dead", in reference to a nearby Indian burial mound.

References