Fishing Regulations in Wisconsin
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Wisconsin fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Wisconsin requires a fishing license for anglers 16 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with 15-day, 4-day, and 1-day options for non-residents. A separate trout stamp is required for fishing in designated trout streams. An inland waters stamp covers all inland lakes and rivers.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 5 per day | 14 inches minimum | Year-round catch and release; harvest June through first Sunday in March | Regulations vary by water body. Check current Wisconsin DNR regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 5 per day (combined with largemouth) | 14 inches minimum | Year-round catch and release; harvest June through first Sunday in March | |
| walleye | 5 per day (varies by water body) | 15 inches minimum (varies) | First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March | Many northern lakes have reduced bag limits. |
| musky | 1 per day | 36 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Last Saturday in May through December 31 | Many waters have 40-inch or 50-inch minimum size limits. |
| northern-pike | 5 per day | 24 inches minimum | First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March | |
| crappie | 25 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| bluegill | 25 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| yellow-perch | 25 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Year-round catch and release; harvest June through first Sunday in March
Notes: Regulations vary by water body. Check current Wisconsin DNR regulations.
Bag Limit: 5 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 14 inches minimum
Season: Year-round catch and release; harvest June through first Sunday in March
Bag Limit: 5 per day (varies by water body)
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum (varies)
Season: First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March
Notes: Many northern lakes have reduced bag limits.
Bag Limit: 1 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Last Saturday in May through December 31
Notes: Many waters have 40-inch or 50-inch minimum size limits.
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: 24 inches minimum
Season: First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 25 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Lake Winnebago
lakeSpecies: walleye, yellow-perch, channel-catfish, largemouth-bass, northern-pike
Chippewa Flowage
reservoirSpecies: musky, walleye, largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill
Lake Michigan
lakeSpecies: smallmouth-bass, rainbow-trout, brown-trout, yellow-perch, walleye
Eagle Lake
lakeSpecies: musky, walleye, largemouth-bass, bluegill, crappie
Vilas County Lakes
lakeSpecies: musky, walleye, smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, northern-pike
Wisconsin River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, walleye, channel-catfish, northern-pike, musky
Lake Mendota
lakeSpecies: largemouth-bass, walleye, northern-pike, yellow-perch, crappie
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 11 lbs 3 oz | 1940 | Lake Ripley |
| smallmouth-bass | 9 lbs 1 oz | 1950 | Indian Lake |
| walleye | 18 lbs | 1933 | High Lake |
| musky | 69 lbs 11 oz | 1949 | Chippewa Flowage |
| northern-pike | 38 lbs | 1952 | Lake Puckaway |
| channel-catfish | 44 lbs 9 oz | 2001 | Wisconsin River |
| brown-trout | 33 lbs 4 oz | 2020 | Lake Michigan |
| crappie | 4 lbs 8 oz | 1997 | Lac Du Flambeau Chain |
| bluegill | 2 lbs 10 oz | 1995 | Green Lake |
| yellow-perch | 3 lbs 4 oz | 1954 | Lake Winnebago |