Butternut Lake

Why has the walleye population gone down in size or numbers? Possibly poor spawns that are usually weather/wind related. Spearing. People not following posted regs.Lake of DNR presence. I have fished the northwoods HARD for 40 years and how many times have I been stopped/checked?? ZERO. People know this so they probably just say screw the regs...whatever. I too have been at resorts and saw filleted illegal fish like crazy. The money IS in the state budget for stocking of large [6-8 inch] walleye. The Walker walleye initiative allocated 13 million dollars annually for the stocking of these fish statewide. Why some fisheries biologists do not stock many of northern Wisconsins waters with these fish, especially Vilas county, I don't know . I have spoken with some Vilas county guides who were pretty POd when I brought up the subject and they said they were told there was adequate natural reproduction going on.There are a few waters in Vilas county that DO receive these large walleyes but I believe most have rainbow smelt present[Long Lake Phelps for example] which then requires stocking of large walleyes as the smelt wreak havoc on fry etc. If you want data just google WI DNR Stocking database and  check on some of "your" lakes. Then call your fisheries biologist and ask. You usually have to leave a specific message but I've found they do get back to you.

thank you, both.  Judging from the 12-13” walleyes we caught, I’d guess there is some natural reproduction, but not much.  No stocking since 2007?  So where does all the fishing license money go? 
As far as tourists keeping fish, I’d agree.  The fish cleaning station was full of carcasses.  Rock bass, a few 14”? Walleye and several smallmouth.  I’m happy to say we brought Illinois Crappie to eat for our fish fry.

I don't think much more needs to be said other than the level of stocking on the lake by DNR was extensive from 2002 to 2007 and hasn't been stocked since 2007. There is likely little to no natural reproduction occurring in the lake so if nothing is going in the fishery its unlikely to sustain the fishing you experienced when you first started fishing the lake. 

Stocking Year	Number Fish Stocked
2007	1,174,000
2006	2,000,000
2005	1,644,000
2004	5,556,000
2003	3,500,000
2002	1,699,800

Without trying to sound like a "complaining old man", I'll give an opinion. We first fished that lake in 2006 and honestly it was the main reason we moved up here. Then, on one of our trips we talked to the "resort manager" where we stayed. He was an elderly man and really knew his stuff.He told me "Man, every time I have to empty the trash cans...there are so many fish entrails and even  "short" ones." He also told me he wished there was something he could do about it. We  even stopped going there about 5 years ago. 

Wife and I went to butternut lake, early September.  Great location, nice people and decent fishing.  Only found a few sub 14” walleye and smallish gills.  A local told us the walleye aren’t there, like they used to be.  Does anyone know why?