General Information

Statewide Fishing Restrictions

LICENSES

It is illegal:

• to fish in any waters of this state without a Wisconsin fishing license and stamp privilege as required. You must be able to present your fishing license to a warden on request. Even waters with no public access (including most private ponds) are considered waters of the state and the appropriate license, tag or stamp is still generally required. Note: An angler fishing in a man-made artificial pond that is not connected to any other waters of the state located entirely on private lands of one owner does not need a fishing license if the owner has given the angler permission to fish in that pond. All other rules apply.
• to possess, loan, or borrow another person’s license, stamp or tag.

ANGLING METHODS AND LURES

It is illegal:

• to move live fish away from a water, except minnows that were purchased from a bait dealer may be moved under the conditions of the Minnows andBait Fish Regulations.
• to fish with more than three hooks, baits or lures.
• to take fish by any means other than hook and line unless otherwise allowed.
• to leave any fish line unattended except when using licensed setlines or bank poles. When fishing open water (water not covered by ice), anglers must remain within 100 yards of their line(s). Failure to immediately respond to any line (located in open water or on the ice) upon indication of a bite will be sufficient evidence that the line is unattended.
• to fish with an unmanned aircraft system, such as a drone, or to fish using the technique known as “jug” fishing in all waters of the state. Jug fishing is the use of any free floating, remote-controlled or anchored bouyant device with attached hook and line that is not held or otherwise controlled by the angler with the use of a line.
• to possess or use spears, snag hooks, gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets or fish traps (except where authorized) or to use or possess on the water unlicensed setlines, bank poles and trotlines.
• to fish with a minnow 8" or longer unless using a “quick-strike rig” or a “non-offset circle hook." When using a quick-strike rig and a minnow 8" or longer for bait, you must immediately attempt to set the hook upon indication of a bite. A "quick-strike rig" is a bait rig that has one or more treble hooks attached to the body of a minnow, behind the head. This rig may also include a jig or other hook in the snout of a minnow. A "non-offset circle hook" means a hook that is curved in a circular or oval shape so the tip of the point is turned and perpendicular to the shank and is designed so that the tip end of the hook is not offset or angled sideways and is in alignment with the shank – see diagram below.

• to fish by snagging, foul-hooking or attempting to hook fish other than in mouth.
• to keep foul-hooked, snagged or any fish not hooked in the mouth.
• to take fish other than rough fish, catfish and bullheads by hand.
• to take fish using a firearm, air gun or similar device.
• to fish with a hook and line while operating a dip net from a boat or while in possession of a dip net. Note: A landing net is not a dip net.
• to possess or use a sinker release device while fishing.
• to tag or mark and release fish without first obtaining authorization from the DNR.

BAIT

It is illegal:

to release unused bait into Wisconsin’s lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

• to possess live crayfish while fishing or while possessing angling equipment on any water. Note: For Mississippi River and outlying waters exceptions.
• to use goldfish, gobies or alewife in any form for bait in state waters except that alewife may be used on Lake Michigan, Green Bay and their tributary streams up to the first dam or lake.
• to remove insect larvae from a trout stream except that a licensed angler may take insect larvae or nymphs from trout streams by hand (no seines or nets) during the open trout season for their immediate personal use as bait in the stream from which they were taken. All unused larvae and nymphs must be returned to the stream prior to leaving the stream from which taken.
• to remove fish eggs for bait from under-sized fish or fish caught during the closed season for that species. Fish eggs may be removed from legal-sized fish and the fish returned to the water, but the fish would count toward the angler's daily bag limit. Live fish eggs cannot be transported away from the water.
• to use gamefish as bait unless they meet any length restriction for the water body you are fishing and are included in your daily bag limit for that species.
• to possess any bait on waters where only the use of artificial lures is authorized.

SEASONS, BAG LIMITS, LENGTH LIMITS AND POSSESSION LIMITS

It is illegal:

• to fish for a species of fish during the closed season for that species (includes catch and release fishing).
• to possess a fish that is above a maximum length limit or below the minimum length limit established for the waters being fished.
• to take, catch, kill or fish for any variety of fish in excess of the daily bag limit or total daily bag limit.
• to group bag. For example, if an angler catches a limit of 25 panfish and gives them to another person, the person catching the fish has attained their daily bag limit and can no longer keep panfish that day. Any fish received are considered part of the recipient's possession limit, but not part of their daily bag limit unless they are possessed while on the water, bank or shore of the water, ice or while fishing.
• to possess or fish for more than the daily bag limit of fish while you’re fishing or while you’re on the water, shore of the water, or on the ice, regardless of number of days fished.
• to possess more than the possession limit (twice the total daily bag limit) at any time and any location except from the Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters where only one total daily bag limit can be possessed. The possession limit for the Great Lakes and their tributaries having anadromous trout is twice the total daily bag limit. The possession limit on trout in inland waters is 10.
• to transport fish subject to a length limit, unless you keep the carcasses of the fish with the fillet and the skin and scales remain intact (on the fillets) to show the fish still meet the length restrictions.
• to sort or cull fish except as authorized under certain bass fishing tournament permits. Any fish you take into possession which you do not release immediately is part of your daily bag limit even if it is released later. “Culling” is the release of a fish after it was held in an angler’s possession to be replaced with another fish.
• to fish in trout streams for any species of fish when the trout season is closed except that rough fish may be taken by hand.

RESTRICTED FISHING AREAS

It is illegal:

• to sponsor a fishing tournament (that needs a permit) without a permit from the DNR.
• to fish in fish refuges. Refuges are posted “No Fishing” with DNR or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signs.
• to fish within 200 feet of a fishway, lock or dam except that fish may be taken by hook and line if the area is not posted otherwise. Note: Rough fish may be taken by hand year-round or by hand-held spear June 1 to Aug. 31 where spearing is allowed within 200 feet of a fishway, lock or dam. It is not legal to take rough fish by hand or by spearing within 200 feet of a fishway, lock or dam located on the Wisconsin boundary waters with Iowa, Michigan or Minnesota.
• to fish within 500 feet of any DNR net or weir when the area is posted by the DNR.

OTHER

It is illegal:

• to stock fish into Wisconsin waters (including private ponds) without first obtaining a stocking permit.
• to deposit fish carcasses or parts, including entrails or other waste, into Wisconsin waters or on the bank or shore of any water.
• to use or possess a box or container in which to hold live fish in any water of the state unless a legible tag bearing the owner or user’s name and address or DNR customer ID number is attached to the container. Containers and live boxes used by anglers while fishing are exempt from this requirement.
• to buy, sell or trade any game fish. It is legal to sell rough fish. Selling rough fish to anyone other than the final consumer requires a wholesale fish dealers license unless you hold a commercial fishing license.
• to buy, sell or trade minnows, frogs or crayfish for use as bait without a bait dealer license (except residents under 16 years of age)
• to transport live rough fish (excluding suckers purchased for bait) or invasive species into or within the state without a permit from the DNR. Note:Rough fish or invasive fish that can be revived are considered live fish. Therefore, to ensure that rough fish, including Asian carp and other invasive fish are dead and no longer capable of being revived, they must be eviscerated (entrails removed) or other similar action be taken to assure the fish are dead before transporting them.
• to withhold catch and fishing effort information when interviewed by authorized DNR creel clerks.

Bass Management Zones

The following map identifies the boundary and regulation differences between the Northern and Southern Bass Management Zones. Check the Special Regulations—Listed by County for exceptions to the following statewide regulations. See tables below for specific application of Northern and Southern Bass Management Zone rules for Lake Michigan, Green Bay and their tributaries.

Northern Zone

May 6 to March 3, 2024—Largemouth bass harvest. Five largemouth bass may be kept and they must be at least 14".June 17 to March 3, 2024 - Smallmouth bass harvest. Five largemouth or smallmouth bass in combination may be kept and they must be at least 14". All other times of year: catch and release only

Southern Zone

May 6 to March 3, 2024 —Largemouth and smallmouth bass harvest. Five largemouth or smallmouth bass in combination may be kept and they must be at least 14". All other times of year: catch and release only

Ceded Territory

The Ceded Territory encompasses 22,400 square miles of northern Wisconsin that was ceded to theUnited States by the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribes in 1837 and 1842. Some special fisheries regulations occur in the ceded territory as a result of Chippewa off-reservation treaty rights as mandated by FederalCourt rulings. Some waters may have more restrictive bag or length limits. Check for public notices at access points.

Ceded Territory Walleye Regulations

Most inland lakes and rivers within the Ceded Territory have a daily bag limit of three (3) walleye and most have a standard length regulation where walleye and sauger from 15" but less than 20"may be kept, except one fish may be over 24". Length and bag limit exceptions to the standard regulation can be found in the Special Regulations—Listed by County section.

Muskellunge And Northern Pike Management Zones

US Highway 10 divides the state into a northern and southern management zone for muskellunge and northern pike. Check the Special Regulations—Listed by County for exceptions to the following statewide regulations:

Northern Zone (inland waters north of Highway 10 Waldo Blvd—excluding WI/MN boundary waters)

Muskellunge season & limits: May 27 to Dec. 31 (on open water only); Only one muskellunge may be kept and it must be at least 40".

Northern pike season & limits: May 6 to March 3, 2024; Five northern pike of any length may be kept. See Tributary Streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan for exceptions.

Southern Zone (inland waters south of Highway 10/Waldo Blvd)

Muskellunge season & limits: May 6 to Dec. 31; Only one muskellunge may be kept and it must be at least 40".

Northern pike season & limits: May 6 to March 3, 2024; Only two northern pike may be kept and they must be at least 26".

Responsible Release Guidance

Please follow these general guidelines to improve the health of your released fish:

1. Fishing Conditions

Please consider the stress extreme water temperatures have on fish if you plan on releasing your catch.

2. Reeling In The Fish

Fish should be retrieved as quickly as possible.

3. Handling The Fish

Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Use wet hands or wet gloves to handle the fish.

4. Unhooking The Fish

If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line and release the fish.

5. Reviving The Fish

Gently rock the fish from side to side until it can maintain its balance.

When the fish begins to struggle, let it swim away.

Following the above guidelines will help improve the fish's chance of survival after release and allow another angler to enjoy the thrill of catching a quality Wisconsin fish.

General Information

Anglers’ Club

The Hooked on Wisconsin Anglers’ Club is a program that acknowledges resident and nonresident anglers for their outstanding sport fishing catches. Anglers may apply for membership in the Live Release, Kept Fish or Mixed Bag categories. For complete details, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglersclub.

Artificial Lures

Some regulations restrict anglers to the use of only artificial lures. Artificial lure means a spoon, spinner, plug or other fish bait made of hair, feathers, cork,wood, rubber, metal, plastic, or other synthetic materials, or combinations of these materials. An artificial lure may not include natural or organic foodstuffs like corn, marshmallows, dough, cheese, meat, living or dead organisms or parts thereof, except hair, feathers, cork, wood and rubber. Liquid scents sprayed on an artificial lure are legal to use when fishing waters where only artificial lures may be used.

Boating Information

A wearable personal flotation device (life jacket) of the correct size for the intended wearer must be available for each person in a boat. Additional boating information is contained in Wisconsin Boating Regulations available online at dnr.wi.gov, search words “boating regulations” or by calling 608-266-2141.Information on boat registration, including online registration and the Boat Registration Application form 9400-193, can be obtained online at dnr.wi.gov search words “boat registration.” To receive an application by mail, call the DNR at 1-888-936-7463.

Camping And State Lands/Removal Of Wood

Camping on state-owned lands is strictly prohibited except within designated camping areas or areas otherwise allowed by law. Check with the local DNRoffice for specific camping regulations. Please don’t move firewood. Keeping firewood local helps protect Wisconsin’s natural resources from emerald ash borer and other pests and diseases that move around on firewood. Removal of drift wood from a lakebed or State-owned properties is illegal without a DNR permit. Waterfront property owners must check with DNR water regulation staff to determine if a permit would be required to remove wood from a lakebed.

Catch And Release Responsibly

Fish you wish to release, and fish not meeting the legal length limit, should be played as little as possible and handled carefully with wet hands. The fish should not be held out of the water longer than necessary to remove hooks, take a photograph or measure the fish. If live release is intended, a quick-strike rig should be used, where the hook is set immediately when a fish strikes to prevent deeply hook.wi.gov/topic/fishing/outreach/responsiblerelease.html

Catfish Harvest By Alternate Methods

Channel and flathead catfish may be harvested by bowfishing or by hand. See the Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting and Bait HarvestRegulations, 2023-2024 for current harvest regulations.

Clamming

There is no open season for taking live clams (mussels) from any inland water of the state. Mussels may be taken from boundary and outlying waters. It is illegal to possess live mussels or take dead mussel shells from the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. It is illegal to possess or transport live zebra or quagga mussels without an invasive species permit. For complete mussel information, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing.

Daily Bag/Total Daily Bag Limits

The daily bag limit is the maximum number of fish that an angler may possess or reduce to his/her possession from a specified waterbody in one day. The total daily bag limit is the maximum number of fish that an angler may reduce to his/her possession in one day from all waters fished for that day. An angler may combine the catch of a particular species from multiple waters until the total daily bag limit is reached as long as the daily bag limit for each body of water is never exceeded. Be aware that while on the water you may not possess more than the daily limit for that body of water. For example, an angler catches a daily limit of walleye from a 3-bag limit lake. The angler can not then fish another lake with a 2 walleye limit while still possessing the 3 walleye from the previous lake.

Total Daily Bag Limit (Catfish) - As an example, the daily bag limit on catfish for most waters is 10 in total (p. 62). However, the total daily bag limit is 25. That means you can combine your catch from multiple waters in a single day to get your total daily bag limit (25) as long as the daily bag limit for each body of water is never exceeded (e.g., 10 from one water, 10 from another water and 5 from a third water).

TOTAL DAILY BAG LIMITS FOR WISCONSIN FISH SPECIES*

Species		Total Daily Bag Limit
Catfish		25 in total; only one may be a flathead catfish if fishing Winnebago system waters.
Cisco (lake herring), whitefish and hybrids
Inland waters		10 in total
Outlying waters		10 in total
Lake sturgeon		1 per season
Largemouth and smallmouth bass		5 in total
Muskellunge		1
Northern pike All waters north of U.S. Hwy 10		5 in total
	All waters south of U.S. Hwy 10	2 in total
Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white and black crappie)		25 in total
Rock bass, white and yellow bass, bullheads, and rough fish		None
Ruffe and gobies (and other nonnative detrimental fish)		0 but one of each may be killed and possessed for immediate delivery to a DNR Service Center or regional office.
Shovelnose sturgeon		3
Walleye, sauger, and hybrid (saugeye)		5 in total

* The total daily bag limit may be exceeded only on specific waters authorized or posted by the DNR. See the Guide to Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations, 2023-2024 for trout total daily bag limits.

Crayfish

• A fishing or small game license is required to take crayfish, unless under age 16.
• No person may use or possess live crayfish and angling equipment simultaneously on any inland water except the Mississippi River (see p. 66 and 68for more details).
• Any non-native species of crayfish must be immediately killed.
• Crayfish traps placed in trout streams shall conform to the dimensions of minnow traps. See Minnow and other Bait Fish Regulations.

There are no bag or size limits on crayfish and no closed season except on the Wisconsin/Minnesota boundary waters where the open season is from May 1 to the following March 1, both dates inclusive.

Crayfish scoops may be used in Wisconsin/Minnesota boundary waters provided the scoops do not exceed 4 feet in length, 3 feet in width and 18 inches in depth attached to a handle not to exceed 4 feet in length.

Crayfish may be taken in all waters by the following means only: By hand, by use of minnow seines and minnow dip nets, where the same are permitted for the taking of minnows and by crayfish traps (other than in trout streams) with any entrance to the trap not to exceed 2½ inches at the greatest diagonal measurement. Crayfish may not be taken by hook and line. Traps must bear the name and address or DNR Customer ID of the owner and must be raised and emptied at least once each day following the day set.

Parts of fish, fish by-products including fish meal or prepared parts of such fish may not be used for bait unless: the fish were caught from the water being trapped, were obtained from a bait dealer or were used with written authorization from the DNR. Other meats (e.g., chicken and beef livers) may be used for bait for crayfish.

Floats or markers used to locate traps 1) may not exceed 5 inches in size, 2) may not extend more than 4 inches above the water surface, 3) must clearly display the name and address (in the English language) of owner or operator and 4) must not be orange or any other fluorescent color.

Endangered And Threatened (E/T) Species

Without a permit, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell any species that is included on the Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species List.Endangered fish species include: skipjack herring, crystal darter, gravel chub, bluntnose darter, starhead topminnow, goldeye, striped shiner, black redhorse, pallid shiner and slender madtom. Threatened fish species include: blue sucker, black buffalo, longear sunfish, redfin shiner, river redhorse, pugnose shiner, Ozark minnow, gilt darter and paddlefish. Visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/endangered resources to find additional listed species information.

Frogs

These regulations apply to native Wisconsin frog species, regardless of their origin.

• The open frog season runs from the Saturday nearest May 1 through Dec. 31.
• Up to five frogs may be taken and possessed without a license.
• No non-resident harvest or possession of frogs is allowed, except frogs possessed for use as fishing bait.
• More than five frogs may be collected for use as fishing bait, but no more than five of any species may be possessed for more than 24 hours.
• Licensed bait dealers and registered fish farmers may possess more than five specimens of any unprotected amphibian species which are collected or possessed as part of a bait collection or shipment. Licensed bait dealers may sell frogs for use as fishing bait.
• It is illegal to take frogs by firearms or airguns.

Turtles

These regulations apply to all turtle species, regardless of their origin.

All residents and non-residents who collect, attempt to collect or possess native Wisconsin aquatic turtles must possess one of the following resident or non-resident licenses: Fishing, Small Game, Sports, Conservation Patron, Setline* or Set or Bank Pole*. (* These licenses are available only to residents).Existing Senior Citizen Recreational Cards also qualify. In addition to the licenses listed above, residents holding a Commercial Fishing License may harvest turtles on Mississippi River Boundary Waters. Note: Residents under the age of 16 do not need a license to take turtles but must comply with allot her regulations. Some species are protected and may not be harvested.

Season

The open turtle season runs from July 15 through Nov. 30. Turtles or turtle eggs may not be taken during the closed season.

Possession Limits

The possession limit for snapping turtles and softshell turtles is three statewide, except on the Mississippi River, where the possession limit is 10 for snapping turtles and five for softshell turtles. The possession limit for all other turtle species (not endangered or threatened) is five in total. There is no open season on Blanding's turtles.

It is illegal to sell native amphibians and reptiles, except persons with a Class A Captive Wild Animal Farm license may sell:

Eastern tiger salamanders, mudpuppies and northern leopard frogs.

• Native amphibians and reptiles not considered endangered and threatened, and collected outside the state, to out of state sources or to education or research institutions in-state.

In addition, it is legal to sell legally harvested dead turtles and their parts during the open season in Wisconsin.

Size Limits

• Snapping turtle size limits are a 12" minimum and a 16" maximum carapace (top shell straight front to back)length.
• There are no size limits for other turtles.

Harvesting Methods

• Turtles may be taken by hand, dip net, hook and line, set line, set or bank poles, hooking or hoop net trap (see allowed design on p. 17). No other trap types are allowed.
• Setlines and set or bank poles must be licensed, tagged and used in compliance with rules on these lines for fishing. See Guide to Wisconsin Setline, Set and Bank Pole Regulations, 2023-2024 for details.
• Turtles may not be taken by hook and line from trout streams during the closed trout season.
• Parts of fish, fish by-products including fish meal or prepared parts of such fish may not be used for bait unless: the fish were caught from the water being trapped, were obtained from a bait dealer or were used with written authorization from the DNR. Other meats (e.g., chicken and beef livers) may be used for bait for turtles.
• The number of hoop traps that can be operated are 10 in Iowa-Wisconsin or Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters and 3 in all other waters of the state.

Hoop Net Trap Specifications

Traps must be made of stretchable fabric (e.g., nylon) and must have a minimum mesh stretch of 6 inches.

No wire mesh is allowed. Each trap must have a metal tag stamped or engraved with the name and address of the operator attached, and must be visible above the water’s surface. The operator identified on the trap tag is the only person authorized to tend these traps. Traps must be set with the hoops exposed a minimum of 2 inches above the water’s surface. Turtle traps must be checked and the entrapped contents removed at least once each day after the day they are set in all waters.

Game Fish, Rough Fish And Minnows; Definitions

Game fish are defined as all varieties of fish (including those commonly referred to as panfish) except rough fish and minnows. Rough fish include:suckers, common carp, Asian carp (silver, bighead, black and grass), goldfish, redhorse, freshwater drum, burbot, bowfin, gar, buffalo, lamprey, alewife, gizzard shad, smelt, mooneye and carpsuckers. Minnows include: suckers, mud minnow, madtom, stonecat, killifish, topminnow, silverside, sticklebacks, trout perch, darters, sculpins and all species in the minnow family (except goldfish and carp).

Health Advisory For Eating Fish

Although fish are delicious and nutritious, some fish contain contaminants at levels that can pose health risks to people who eat fish frequently. To reduce your exposure to these contaminants, the state issues advice to help you plan what fish to keep as well as how often and how much fish to eat. Please read the information below and consult the complete fish consumption advisory as a guide to eating fish low in contaminants. Fish consumption advice is provided for fish that may contain mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and other compounds.

Statewide mercury advisory: Mercury is found in almost all waters throughout the state. Wisconsin’s statewide advice for most of Wisconsin’s inland waters recommends that:

Studies suggest that regularly including modest amounts of fish and shellfish (one or two servings per week) in your diet can benefit your health. Little additional benefit is obtained from consuming more than that amount. And, for some waters, fewer meals should be eaten. On certain waters, where data indicates higher mercury levels, more restrictive advice is needed. In addition, fish purchased from stores or restaurants may contain mercury. Consult the fish consumption advisory booklet for the list of waters with exceptions to the above advice.

PCB advisory: PCBs are most often associated with industrialized river systems and the Great Lakes. Check the fish consumption advisory booklet for specific recommendations on how many meals you can safely eat of fish species caught from waters contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs), such as Lakes Michigan and Superior, some large rivers and other surface waters. PCBs tend to build up in fatty tissues, so you can reduce PCB levels in fish you eat by trimming away the fatty areas and properly cooking your fish. The advisory booklet contains more information on cooking and cleaning your fish.

PFOS: PFOS are one of many per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams. You can download the complete fish consumption advisory directly atbit.ly/ChooseWiselyWI2020.

Ice Fishing

Statewide fishing restrictions apply (see p. 8). Fishing holes cut through the ice cannot measure more than 12" across. The doors of enclosed fishing shelters must be readily opened from the outside while occupied; they may be locked only while not occupied and not in use. The shelter owner’s name and address (in English) or DNR Customer ID number must be legibly painted or otherwise affixed on the outside of the fishing shelter with block lettering a minimum of one inch square and in contrasting colors. Fishing shelters that are occupied or otherwise in use are exempt from this requirement. After the date for removing shelters from the ice, you may continue to use a portable shelter, but you must remove it daily when it is not occupied or in use. Shelters must be removed daily on the Fox River in Brown County from the DePere Dam downstream. All ice fishing shelters must be removed from the ice daily and when not in use:

• Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior, and inland waters north of Highway 64 after the First Sunday following March 12.
• Inland waters south of Highway 64 after the First Sunday following March 1.
• Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters by March 15.
• Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters by March 1.
• Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters by Feb. 20.

Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species can crowd out native plants and animals and threaten the quality of boating and fishing in the waters we love. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and diseases Wisconsin law requires that you:

INSPECT your boat, trailer and equipment.

REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading & before transporting on a public highway).

DRAIN all water from boats, motors and equipment (livewell, coolers, buckets, etc.).

NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody. Fish out of water are not considered live. Transport on ice is legal and recommended.

BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer and USE leftover minnows only under certain conditions.*

*You may take leftover minnows purchased from a Wisconsin bait dealer away from any state water and use them again on that same water. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water, or other fish were added to their container.

It is illegal to possess, introduce, transport or transfer a live specimen of any nonnative fish species without a permit issued by the DNR. For exceptions and more details, visit dnr.wi.gov

It is illegal to possess, introduce, transport or transfer a live nonnative crayfish without a permit issued by the DNR, except rusty crayfish when being used as bait on the Mississippi River.

Measuring Fish

Fish must be measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout with the mouth closed to the end of the compressed tail.

Minnows And Other Bait Fish Regulations

You may take live minnows purchased from a Wisconsin bait dealer (which includes Wisconsin registered fish farms) away from a waterbody if any of the following three conditions are met:

• Anglers can take purchased minnows away from a lake or river and use them again on that same waterbody.
• Anglers can also take purchased minnows away from a waterbody and use them elsewhere if no lake or river water or other fish were added to the bait container.
• Anglers can also take purchased minnows away from a waterbody for use elsewhere if they intend to preserve them as dead bait using approved methods.

In each of these cases, minnows may be transported in the amount of water needed to keep the minnows alive, up to 2 gallons. No other fish may be held in the minnow container.

It is illegal for anyone to possess more than 600 minnows except licensed bait dealers and residents younger than 16 years who are selling the minnows for fishing bait. It is also illegal for nonresidents to sell minnows, crayfish or frogs as bait. Residents 16 years or older must have a bait dealer’s license to sell minnows, crayfish or frogs for bait. Residents under 16 years can possess no more than 5,000 of each species and can sell less than $500 worth annually without a bait dealer’s license. Bait dealers and residents younger than 16 years are required to possess an approved wild bait harvest permit to harvest bait minnows from any approved location. Only licensed bait dealers with a wild bait harvest permit and a nonstandard gear permit from the DNR may use minnow seines or minnow dip nets of any type or description in inland trout streams or tributary spring ponds. During the open trout season, people who do not possess a bait dealer’s license can’t use more than three minnow traps to harvest minnows from trout streams and these minnows may not be transported away from the stream alive. Minnow traps are not allowed in trout streams during the closed season for trout.

BAIT-MINNOW HARVEST IS CLOSED TO ALL PERSONS ON ALL VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA (VHS) KNOWN AND SUSPECT WATERS. Minnow harvest gear is prohibited on these waters.

Waters include Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Winnebago system, the Mississippi River, the Wisconsin River up to the Prairie du Sac Dam and all waters connected to these waters up to the first barrier impassable to fish. On all other waters, bait fish may be collected, possessed and used on the water they were caught on, or a connected water without a wild bait harvest permit if they are never transported away from the water, bank, or shore. Suckers may be harvested with dip nets from VHS waters (except Lake Superior), but cannot be taken away from the water alive. Dead bait (minnows or eggs) can be used unpreserved on the same water from where it was gathered, or on Lake Michigan or Green Bay, but otherwise must be preserved by a method that does not require refrigeration or freezing.

Bait minnows may be taken, where allowed, by the following methods only:

• Hook and line.
• With seines no more than 35 feet long with a mesh no larger than one-half inch stretch measure in inland waters. Fifty-foot lengths of seine may be used in Minnesota and Iowa boundary waters.
• With dip nets no more than eight feet in diameter or square.
• With traps no more than 24 inches long and 16 inches in diameter or square with a throat measuring one-and-a-half inches or less. All traps must bear their owner’s name and address and be emptied at least once every 48 hours (once every 24 hours on trout streams). Note: Except for bait dealers with the proper permits, the transporting of live, harvested minnows or suckers away from the water where they were caught is not allowed.

Motor Trolling

Motor trolling is trailing a lure, bait or similar device used to attract or catch fish from a boat while being propelled (forwards or backwards) by a motor or a sail or while being towed by a boat being propelled by a motor or sail.

Motor trolling is legal on all inland waters with either:

• One hook, bait or lure/person: maximum of three lines trolled per boat or

Three hooks, baits or lures/person with no maximum number of lines per boat.

The county-specific trolling regulations are listed in the Special Regulations—Listed by County. An angler who holds a Trolling Disability Permit and any other persons in the boat may troll using an electric trolling motor with up to three hooks, baits or lures per person on any water.

Native American Reservations

Native American reservations in Wisconsin are governed by a unique blend of federal, state and tribal law. You should find out about current tribal policies for natural resources use at each tribal headquarters before entering a reservation to hunt or fish. Failure to do so may place you in conflict with the law and subject you to enforcement action.

Panfish

The term “panfish” is defined as any of the following species: bluegill, pumpkinseed, black and white crappie, yellow perch, green sunfish, warmouth and orangespotted sunfish.

Position Fishing

Position fishing is fishing from a boat where the fishing line extends vertically into the water while the boat is maneuvered (forwards or backwards) by a motor used to position or maintain the position of the boat over underwater structure. Position fishing is allowed statewide in all waters.

Record Fish

If you think you or someone else has caught a fish that may be a state record, here’s what to do:

• don’t clean or freeze the fish.
• keep the fish cool—preferably on ice.
• get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale (found in grocery, hardware stores, etc.) and witnessed by an observer.
• contact the nearest DNR office to get the fish species positively identified and to find out whether the fish is a state record.

For a complete list of Wisconsin’s record fish, check the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, contact any DNR Service Center or write to: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management, Record Fish Program - FH/4, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

Refuges, Fish

Occasionally, fish need additional protection during critical times of their lives. Fish refuges are one of the tools a fisheries biologist uses to provide this protection. Refuges are generally created to protect spawning fish or the nursery areas of developing fish. All refuges are posted with No Fishing signs from the DNR or the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It is illegal to enter or disturb, take, catch, capture, kill or fish for fish in any manner in a posted refuge. Some refuges are operated year round, while others restrict angler access seasonally. Anglers should contact their local fisheries biologist for more detailed information on refuges in their immediate area.

Residency, Establishing

You are eligible to obtain a resident license or a nonresident license at the resident fee if:

• immediately before applying for a license, you have maintained your permanent residence and have lived in Wisconsin for a period of 30 days. Ownership of property and payment of property tax do not alone establish residency. The location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver's license are also factors that influence residency.
• you are 16-17 years old and have a parent that is a Wisconsin resident.
• you are a non-resident in active service in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Maritime Service) and are either stationed in Wisconsin or were a Wisconsin resident when you joined the service.
• you are a full-time non-resident/student in residence at any Wisconsin public or private college or university offering degree; or,
• you are a citizen of a foreign country temporarily residing in the state while attending a Wisconsin high school or agricultural short course in the UW system.

Rough Fish

Rough fish may be taken by hand and hook and line. They may also be taken by spear and bow and arrow/crossbow in some counties (See separateGuide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations, 2023-2024). Rough fish includes suckers, (unless listed as threatened or endangered, p. 14), common carp, invasive carp, goldfish, freshwater drum, burbot, bowfin, gar, sea lamprey, alewife, gizzard shad, rainbow smelt and mooneye. It is illegal to fish by hook and line in a trout stream during the closed trout season. (See Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and Bait HarvestRegulations, 2023-2024). Note: Unless posted otherwise, fish may be taken by hook and line and rough fish may be taken by hand year-round or by hand-held spear June 1 to Aug. 31 where spearing is allowed within 200 feet of a fishway, lock or dam. You may return rough fish taken by hand or hook and line to the water. Rough fish taken by spear or bow and arrow may not be returned to the water. Dispose of them properly; do not leave them on shore or on the ice. Asian carp (e.g., bighead carp, black carp, silver carp and grass carp) can survive long periods out of the water, especially if placed on ice. Transportation restrictions on rough fish include:

• It is illegal to transport a live Asian carp unless in possession of a state permit from the DNR and a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService.
• A fish, even one held out of water that can be revived is considered a live fish (if put back into water, it will return to life) for the purposes of the rough and invasive fish transportation restrictions.
• To ensure that rough fish, including Asian carp and other invasive fish are dead and no longer capable of being revived, the fish must be eviscerated (entrails removed), the gills cut or some other similar action be taken to assure fish are dead before transporting them.

Tagged Fish And Tagging Fish

DNR fisheries biologists attach tags to fish for research purposes. If you catch a tagged fish, please notify the nearest DNR office with the tag number, when and where the fish was caught, its length and its weight. If you keep the fish, send in the tag; if you release it, leave the tag on the fish but be sure to record the tag number. By including your contact information, the biologist will be able to send back to you information about the tagged fish. It is illegal for anyone to catch, tag, mark or attach any object and release a fish without first obtaining authorization from the department. Go to dnr.wi.gov and search"tagged fish" for additional tagged fish information.

Tournament Permits

A permit is required from the DNR to hold a fishing tournament where the waters to be fished are identified by name, where participants compete for prizes, and where any of the following apply: the tournament either involves 20 or more boats or 100 or more participants; the tournament includes any trout species on classified trout streams; the tournament is a catch-hold-release tournament with either the statewide bass regulation of five fish per day and14" minimum length limit or an off-site weigh-in; or, the total prize value is $10,000 or greater. Application fees must accompany applications and vary depending on the type of tournament and the amount of prizes being awarded. Details regarding application fees and other information on rules governing fishing tournaments can be found online at: dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/fishingtournaments/. Applications for holding a fishing tournament can also be submitted online. Results of the tournament must be reported on forms provided with the permit and returned to: DNR Fishing Tournaments, PO Box 7921, Madison,WI 53707.

Urban And Community Fishing

Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are intensively and cooperatively managed with a municipality. They are posted with signs, have special regulations and their shoreline is accessible to the public.

• The following urban waters have a continuous, year-round open season for all anglers except for a special season from (March 11 - April 28, 2023; March 9 - April 26, 2024) during which only persons 15 years of age and younger and certain disabled anglers may fish. Regardless of season, the ponds have no length limits and have a daily bag limit of three trout, one gamefish (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, and northern pike) and 10 panfish (bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and bullhead).

Posted waters: Kenosha County: Anderson Park, Bong Children’s Pond, Milwaukee County:

Brown Deer Park, Dineen Park, Estabrook Park, Franklin High School, Greenfield Park, Holler Park, Humboldt Park, Jackson Park, Juneau Park, Kosciuszko Park, McCarty Park, McGovern Park, Miller Park, Mitchell Park, Oak Creek Parkway, Saveland Park, Schoetz Park, Scout Lake, Sheridan Park, Washington Park, Wilson Park; Outagamie County: Appleton Memorial Pond; Ozaukee County: Harrington Beach Quarry, Mequon Rotary Park East and West, Pucketts Pond, Schowalter Park, Willow Brooke Park; Racine County: Gorney Park, Johnson Park, Lockwood Park, Pritchard Park, Quarry Lake, Reservoir Park; Rock County: Lions Park Pond Sheboygan County: Kohler-Andrae State Park Pond, Sheboygan Quarry, Memorial Park, River Park Lagoon; Vilas County: Pipke Park Pond (T44 R6E S34); Walworth County: CeylonLagoon, Congdon Park, Millpond Park Pond; Washington County: Boot Lake, Hartford Millpond, Homestead Hollow Park, Kewaskum Millpond,Regner Pond, Sandy Knoll Park, Wells Lake, Wiedenbach Park Pond; Waukesha County: Calhoun Park, Delafield Rearing Pond, Foxbrook Pond, Heyer Park North and South, Lapham Peak Pond, Lepper Dam Millpond, Lions Park-Overland, Menomonee Park, Minooka Park, Muskego Park, Nixon Park,Regal Park and Woodfield North.

Current fish stocking and regulation information for southeastern waters is available from Feb. 15 - Nov. 15 on the 24-hour Urban Waters Fishing Hotline at 414/263-8494 or toll free at 1-888-FISH-LNE (1-888-347-4563).

• The following urban waters have a year-round season and no length limits. Note: Only persons 15 years of age and younger and certain disabled anglers may fish these waters. These waters have a daily bag limit of three trout, one gamefish (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, and northern pike) and 10 panfish (bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed, yellow perch and bullhead).

Posted waters: Brown County: Manger Lagoon - city of Green Bay; Dane County: Token Creek ponds, Syene ponds; Langlade County: Remington Lake;Lincoln County: Mirror Lake.

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, or VHS, is a serious fish disease that was found in Wisconsin in 2007. VHS is not a threat to human health, but it can affect a variety of Wisconsin fishes and cause large fish kills. To find out more about VHS and the current rules to minimize the spread of this deadly fish disease, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/vhs.

Warden Authority

Conservation wardens performing their duties may enter private land at any time. Wardens may also seize as evidence all fish taken or possessed in violation of the law, and any equipment used in connection with a violation. Wardens do not have the authority to enforce trespass laws.

OPEN SEASONS, LENGTH LIMITS AND BAG LIMITS

GENERAL INLAND WATERS

*Remember: Also check the Special Regulations–Listed by County section, the Great Lakes, the Winnebago System Waters, the Boundary Waters tables and the Tributary Streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan table.

FISH SPECIES – NOTE: Species not listed have no open season (e.g., American eel, grass pickerel)	OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MINIMUM LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH BASS (LMB) HARVEST	May 6 – March 3	5	14 inches
SMALLMOUTH BASS (SMB) HARVEST Northern Zone	June 17 – March 3	5 in total with LMB	14 inches
Other inland waters	May 6 – March 3	5 in total with LMB	14 inches
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS Statewide - all inland waters	all other times of the year.	0 (catch and release only)
ROCK, YELLOW (STRIPED) and WHITE BASS	open all year	none	none
PANFISH: BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, SUNFISH, CRAPPIE and YELLOW PERCH	open all year	25 in total	none
BULLHEADS and ROUGH FISH	open all year	none	none
CATFISH (CHANNEL, FLATHEAD)	open all year	10 in total	none
CISCO and WHITEFISH	open all year	10 in total	none
MUSKELLUNGE (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
Northern Zone: Inland waters north of U.S. Hwy 10 (excluding Wis-Mich. boundary waters)	May 27 – Dec. 31 (on open water only)	1	40 inches
Southern Zone: Inland waters south of U.S. Hwy 10	May 6 – Dec. 31	1	40 inches
NORTHERN PIKE
Northern Zone: Inland waters north of US Hwy 10 (excluding Wis-Mich. boundary waters)	May 6 – March 3	5	none
Southern Zone: Inland waters south of US Hwy 10	May 6 – March 3	2	26 inches
PADDLEFISH (SPOONBILL CATFISH)	No open season – no fishing for paddlefish.
RUFFE, WHITE PERCH, GOBIES and other nonnative detrimental fish species	No open season–one may be killed and possessed for transport to a DNR office—0 bag limit

GENERAL INLAND WATERS (CONT.)

LAKE STURGEON Chippewa River: West Fork downstream from Moose Lake Dam (Sawyer Co.) and East Fork (Ashland Co.) downstream to the confluence of the Mississippi River (Pepin Co.) including sloughs, bayous, and flowages upstream to first highway or railroad bridge. Flambeau River: N Fork from Turtle-Flambeau Dam (Iron Co.) and S Fork (Price Co.) downstream to the confluence with the Chippewa River (Rusk Co.) including sloughs, bayous, and flowages upstream to the first dam or highway bridge. Butternut Lake (Price Co.) Jump River from the North and South Forks to the confluence with the Chippewa River (Rusk Co.); Yellow, Little Yellow, and Danbury Flowage chain of lakes (Burnett Co.); Wisconsin River below the Wisconsin Dells Dam (Columbia Co.) downstream.	Sept. 2 – Sept. 30 (All Lake sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered.	1 per season	60 inches
Other inland waters	Closed all year — no fishing for lake sturgeon
SHOVELNOSE STURGEON
Lower Wisconsin River from the Prairie du Sac Dam downstream	Open all year	3	none
All other inland waters	Closed all year— no fishing for shovelnose sturgeon
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS).
Most waters in the Ceded Territory (map and further information)	May 6 – March 3	3 in total	15" but less than 20" may be kept; with one over 24 inches
Most other inland waters.	May 6 – March 3	5 in total	15 inches

WISCONSIN-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY WATERS

Includes the Brule, Menominee and Montreal rivers and their sloughs and flowages; that portion of Green Bay at the mouth of the Menominee River between the“government pier” or break wall on the south and the “lighthouse pier” or breakwall on the north and a line connecting the eastern-most points of those breakwaters on the east; and Basin, Big, Big Bad Water, Big Bateau, Crampton, Crystal, Cyrus, Lac Vieux Desert, Little Presque Isle, Mamie, Mill, Norwood, Plum, Roach, Smoky, State Line, Tenderfoot and West Bay lakes.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS ON WISCONSIN-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY WATERS

• Please note: Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license while fishing the Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters
• Each angler may fish with not more than a total of three baits, lures or hooks.
• You may not take more than the daily bag limit of fish in a single day. The possession limit or maximum number of fish you may have in your possession at any time is the same as the daily bag limit.
• Goldfish, alewife and live crayfish may not be possessed or used for bait on Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters.
• Ice fishing: Angler name and address must be prominently displayed on ice fishing shelters (portable or otherwise) when not occupied or otherwise in use.
• It is illegal to fish using any method other than hook and line within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam.
• Motor trolling is permitted on Wisconsin-Michigan Boundary Waters with 3 hooks, baits, or lures per person except Vilas and Iron County boundary waters, where trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait or lure per person and 3 lines maximum per boat.
• Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and a Michigan resident needs a Michigan fishing license to fish these waters. Residents of other states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Michigan. Regulations on these waters differ between the two states. You must obey the regulation of the state in which you are fishing. Wisconsin license holders must have a valid Great Lakes Trout and Salmon stamp privilege (except with a two-day Sports Fishing License) to fish trout or salmon in the Menominee River from the HattieStreet Dam downstream to the eastern end of the breakwalls in Green Bay.

FISH SPECIES	OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MINIMUM LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS HARVEST All boundary waters	June 17 – Dec. 31	5 in total	14 inches
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS All boundary waters	all other times of the year	0 (catch and release only)
MUSKELLUNGE (INCLUDES HYBRIDS) Some waters may have larger minimum length limits. Look for signs and inquire locally	June 1–Dec. 31 (on open water only)	1	50 inches
Menominee River—From the Hattie Street Dam in the city of Marinette downstream to the eastern end of the breakwalls in Green Bay	June 1–Dec. 31 (on open water only)	1	54 inches

WISCONSIN-MICHIGAN BOUNDARY WATERS (CONT.)

NORTHERN PIKE	May 6–March 1	5	none
YELLOW PERCH, WHITE BASS, YELLOW (STRIPED) BASS, CRAPPIE, BLUEGILL andPUMPKINSEED (SUNFISH)	open all year	25 in total	none
TROUT and SALMON
Smoky Lake, Montreal River and Menominee River from its mouth upstream to the first dam	open all year	5 in total	10 inches
Brule River upstream from Hwy 2	April 29 – Sept. 30	5 in total	brook trout 8 inches brown trout 12 inches
Brule River downstream from Hwy 2 and other Wisconsin-Michigan Boundary Waters	April 29 – Sept. 30	5 in total	7 inches
LAKE STURGEON (Lake sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered.)
Upstream from the Grand Rapids Dam on the Menominee River.	Sept. 2 – Sept. 30	1 per season	60 inches
Downstream from the Grands Rapid Dam on the Menominee River.	Sept. 2 – Sept. 30	0 (catch and release only)
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
In lakes	May 6 – March 1	5 in total	15 inches
In rivers and their flowages	March 2 – May 5	1	15 inches
	May 6 – March 1	5 in total	15 inches
CISCO and WHITEFISH	open all year	10 in total	none
RUFFE	no open season—one may be killed and possessed for transport to a DNR Service Center or Regional Office.
CATFISH	open all year	10	none

WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA BOUNDARY WATERS

Applies to the stretch of the Mississippi River shared by Wisconsin and Minnesota lying between the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad tracks on the Wisconsin side of the river and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific railroad tracks on the Minnesota side of the river, including Lake Pepin and Lake St. Croix; the St. Croix River from the Burlington Northern railroad bridge at Prescott north to the point where the river is no longer a boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota; and the St. Louis River, including St. Louis Bay, Superior Bay, Allouez Bay, Kimballs Bay, Little Pokegama Bay, and Pokegama Bay.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS ON WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA BOUNDARY WATERS

• Please note: Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license while fishing the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters
• Goldfish and alewife may not be possessed or used for bait. Live rusty crayfish and native species of crayfish may be used for bait on the Mississippi River ONLY—not on other Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters. Other non-native crayfish may not be possessed live. Live crayfish may not be used as bait within the federal zone of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
• It is illegal to fish using any method other than hook and line within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam on the Mississippi River and within 200 feet of these structures on any other water.
• Motor trolling is permitted on Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters with three hooks, baits or lures per person and no maximum number of lines per boat.
• Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Minnesota residents need a Minnesota license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.
• Fishing is prohibited within 300 feet below the Red Wing Dam and Alma Dam from March 1 through April 29 and within 300 feet below the Onalaska Dam from March 15 through April 25.
• Ice fishing: Angler name and address must be prominently displayed on ice fishing shelters (portable or otherwise) when the shelter is not occupied or otherwise in use.

FISH SPECIES Species not listed are governed by inland regulations	OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MINIMUM LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS
St. Louis River and the St. Croix River downstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam	May 27 – March 1	5 in total	14 inches
St. Croix River upstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam	May 27 - Sept. 10	5 in total	14 inches
	Sept. 11 - March 1	0 (catch and release only)
Mississippi River	open all year	5 in total	14 inches
CATFISH (CHANNEL and FLATHEAD)
St. Louis River and St. Croix River	open all year	10 in total	none
Mississippi River (Pools 3-9)	open all year	10 in total	only one over 30" may be kept
MUSKELLUNGE (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
Mississippi, St. Croix and St. Louis rivers	May 27 – Nov. 30	1	50 inches
NORTHERN PIKE
St. Croix R. downstream to Hwy 10 at Prescott	April 29 – March 1	5
Mississippi River (Pools 3-9)	open all year	3	only one over 30" may be kept
St. Louis River	May 13 – March 1	2	none

WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA BOUNDARY WATERS (CONT.)

ROCK BASS	open all year	25 of each	none
BLUEGILL AND PUMPKINSEED (SUNFISH)
Mississippi River (Pools 3-9)	open all year	15 in total	none
St. Louis and St. Croix rivers	open all year	25 in total	none
CRAPPIE AND YELLOW PERCH
Mississippi River (Pools 3-9)	open all year	15 of each	none
St. Louis and St. Croix rivers	open all year	25 of each	none
WHITE BASS and YELLOW BASS
Mississippi River (Pools 3-9)	open all year	10 in total	none
St. Louis and St. Croix rivers	open all year	25 in total	none
LAKE STURGEON (Lake sturgeon tagging and registering information).
Mississippi R. upstream of the Red Wing Dam; St. Croix R. upstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam to the dam at Gordan Flowage	June 16 - March 1	0 (catch and release only)
St. Louis River and Mississippi River downstream of the Red Wing Dam	June 16 - April 14	0 (catch and release only)
St. Croix River downstream from the St. Croix Falls Dam	June 16 - Sept. 1	0 (catch and release only)
	Sept. 2 - Sept. 30	1	60 inches
	Oct. 1 - March 1	0 (catch and release only)
SHOVELNOSE STURGEON
All Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters above the Red Wing Dam on the Mississippi River, St. Louis River, and St. Croix River.	June 16 - March 1	0 (catch and release only)
All Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters below the Red Wing Dam on the Mississippi R.	open all year	3	none
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
St. Croix River downstream to Hwy. 10 at Prescott	April 29 – March 1	6 in total	none for sauger; 15" for walleye
St. Louis River	May 13 – March 1	2 in total
Mississippi River (Pools 3-8)	open all year	4 in total	none for sauger; 15" for walleye, only one walleye or sauger over 20"
Mississippi River (Pool 9)	open all year	6 in total	none for sauger; 15" for walleye, walleye 20-27" must be released only one over 27"
RUFFE, WHITE PERCH, GOBIES and other nonnative detrimental fish species	No open season—one may be killed and possessed for transport to a DNR Service Center or Regional Office.

WISCONSIN-IOWA BOUNDARY WATERS (MISSISSIPPI RIVER)

Applies to the stretch of the Mississippi River shared by Wisconsin and Iowa lying between the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific railroad tracks on the Iowa side of the river and the Burlington Northern and Sante Fe railroad tracks lying on the Wisconsin side of the river including all sloughs, bays, and backwaters.

FISHING RESTRICTIONS ON WISCONSIN-IOWA BOUNDARY WATERS

• Please note: Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license while fishing the Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters.
• Goldfish and alewife may not be possessed or used for bait in the Mississippi River. Live rusty crayfish and native crayfish species are legal to use.

All other non-native crayfish may not be possessed live.

• It is illegal to fish using any method other than hook and line within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam on the Mississippi River.
• Motor trolling is permitted on Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters with three hooks, baits or lures per person and no maximum number of lines per boat.
• Ice fishing: Angler name and address must be prominently displayed on ice fishing shelters (portable or otherwise) when not occupied or otherwise in use.
• Wisconsin residents need a Wisconsin fishing license and Iowa residents need an Iowa fishing license to fish in these boundary waters. Residents of other states need a nonresident license from Wisconsin or Iowa. Regulations on these waters may differ between states. You must obey the regulations of the state in which you are fishing.

FISH SPECIES Species not listed governed by inland regulations	OPEN SEASON	DAILY LIMIT	MINIMUM LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS	open all year	5 in total	14 inches
CATFISH (CHANNEL and FLATHEAD)	open all year	none	none
NORTHERN PIKE	open all year	5	none
YELLOW PERCH, ROCK BASS, CRAPPIE	open all year	25 of each	none
BLUEGILL and PUMPKINSEED (SUNFISH)	open all year	25 in total	none
WHITE BASS and YELLOW BASS	open all year	25 in total	none
LAKE STURGEON	closed all year—there is no fishing for lake sturgeon
SHOVELNOSE STURGEON	open all year	none	none
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS) Pools 9-12	open all year	6 in total	none for sauger, 15 " for walleye; walleye 20-27" must be released, only one over 27"

MAJOR GREEN BAY TRIBUTARIES and TRIBUTARIES TO LAKE MICHIGAN

MAJOR GREEN BAY TRIBUTARIES - Brown County: Duck Creek upstream to the first dam located on the Oneida Golf and Riding Club property excluding its tributaries; Suamico River upstream to CTH HS; East River upstream to Hoffman Rd (CTH XX) excluding its tributaries. Marinette County: Peshtigo River upstream to the Peshtigo Dam; Little River upstream to Radar Rd. Oconto County: Little Suamico River upstream to CTH J excluding tributaries; Pensaukee River upstream to CTH J excluding tributaries; Oconto River upstream to Stiles Dam excluding tributaries (except Little River); Little River upstream to Hwy 141 excluding tributaries.

TRIBUTARIES TO LAKE MICHIGAN - Kenosha & Racine counties: Pike and Root rivers and their tributaries. Kewaunee County: Kewaunee river and its tributaries excluding Little Scarboro, Scarboro, Roger and Casco creeks. Manitowoc County: Manitowoc River and its tributaries upstream to the first dam or lake.Milwaukee & Ozaukee counties: Milwaukee River upstream to the Grafton Dam in the Village of Grafton and its tributaries upstream to the first dam or lake. Ozaukee County: Sauk Creek and its tributaries upstream to the first dam or lake Milwaukee & Waukesha counties: Menomonee River upstream to the Lepper Dam in the Village ofMenomonee Falls and its tributaries upstream to the first dam or lake. Sheboygan County: Sheboygan river downstream to the coast guard station and its tributaries excluding Willow creek. All bordering counties: All other tributaries to Lake Michigan upstream to the first dam or lake.

Please note: The Menominee River, Wisconsin/Michigan boundary waters, and the Fox River upstream to the DePere Dam, Lake Michigan are not considered tributary streams.)

GREEN BAY includes Lake Michigan waters located to the west of the Green Bay - Lake Michigan Line (Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Sawyer Harbor, and theSturgeon Bay Ship Canal located north and west of the center of the WPS power lines and the Fox River from its mouth up to the dam at DePere). That line runs from Northport Dock northeasterly to Plum Island range light to the Plum Is. Coast Guard Station to Shellswick Dock (Lobdell’s Point.) on Washington Is. along the west shore of Washington Is. to Boyer’s Bluff light then north to the State line.

TRIBUTARY STREAMS TO GREEN BAY AND LAKE MICHIGAN

• Major tributaries to Green Bay and tributaries to Lake Michigan are defined below.
• Alewife may be used as bait in tributaries, rivers, and ditches upstream to the first dam or lake. Live crayfish may not be possessed while fishing on the tributaries.
• Motor trolling rules can be found in the Special Regulations - Listed by County section.
• You must have a fishing license and a valid Great Lakes Trout and Salmon stamp privilege or a two-day Sports Fishing License to fish for trout and salmon in the tributaries (up to the first dam or lake).
• All other statewide general fishing restrictions apply.
• Smelt and suckers: See the 2023-2024 Wisconsin Spearing and Netting Regulations for regulations on dipnetting smelt and suckers in the tributaries.
• From September 15 to the first Saturday of the following May, you may not use hooks that have a gap size larger than one-half inch from point to shank.

FISH SPECIES		OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MIN. LENGTH
ROUGH FISH (including suckers), ROCK BASS, WHITE BASS, YELLOW BASS and BULLHEADS
	All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake	May 6 – March 3	none; except 600 suckers	none
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries	open all year	none; except 600 suckers	none
LARGEMOUTH BASS (LMB) HARVEST
All tributaries to Green Bay and Lake Michigan		May 6 – March 3	5 in total with SMB	14 inches
SMALLMOUTH BASS (SMB) HARVEST
	All tributaries to Green Bay	May 6 – March 3	5 in total with LMB	14 inches
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan north of Hwy. 29 (Door and Kewaunee counties)	June 17 – March 3	5 in total with LMB	14 inches
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan south of Hwy. 29	May 6 – March 3	5 in total with LMB	14 inches
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS All tributaries to Green Bay and Lake Michigan		At all other times of year	0 (catch and release only)
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
	Major Green Bay tributaries and tributaries to Lake Michigan north of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc	March 6 – May 5, 2023	1	15 inches
	Major Green Bay tributaries and tributaries to Lake Michigan north of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc	May 6, 2023- March 3, 2024	5 in total	15 inches
	All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam/lake	May 6, 2023- March 3, 2024	5 in total	15 inches
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan south of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc	open all year	5 in total	15 inches
MUSKELLUNGE (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
	Lake Michigan tributaries north of Hwy. 10 (located in the counties of Marinette, Oconto, Brown, Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc). All Green Bay tributaries upstream to the first dam or lake	May 27–Dec 31 (on open water only)	1	54 inches
	Lake Michigan tributaries south of Hwy. 10 (located in the counties of Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha)	May 6 – Dec. 31	1	40 inches

TRIBUTARY STREAMS TO GREEN BAY AND LAKE MICHIGAN (CONT.)

BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, SUNFISH, YELLOW PERCH and CRAPPIE
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan	open all year except yellow perch which is open June 16, 2023 –April 30, 2024	25 in total but only 5 may be yellow perch	none
	Major Green Bay tributaries	Open all year except yellow perch which is open May 20, 2023 – March 15, 2024	25 in total but only 15 may be yellow perch	none
All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake.		May 6 - March 3 except yellow perch which is open May 20 - March 15	25 in total but only 15 may be yellow perch	none
NORTHERN PIKE
	Tributaries to Green Bay, (except major tributaries), tributaries to Lake Michigan North of US Hwy. 10 (except Kewaunee, East and West Twin, and Ahnapee rivers) up to the first dam or lake.	May 6 – March 3	5	none
	Major Green Bay tribs, Kewaunee, East/West Twin, and Ahnapee rivers up to the first dam/lake.	open all year	5	none
	Lake Michigan tributaries south of US Hwy. 10 (including the Manitowoc River)	open all year	2	26 inches
LAKE STURGEON		No open season
RUFFE and GOBIES		No open season—one may be killed and taken to a WDNR office.
CISCO AND WHITEFISH
Major Green Bay and Lake Michigan tributaries		open all year	10 in total	none
All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam or lake		May 6 - March 3	10 in total	none
WHITE PERCH
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries	open all year	none	none
	All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake	May 6 – March 3	none	none
CATFISH (CHANNEL and FLATHEAD)
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan	open all year	10	none
	Duck Creek upstream to the first dam located on the Oneida Golf and Riding Club property excluding its tributaries, Suamico River upstream to CTH HS, and the East River from the Fox River upstream to Hoffman Rd (CTH XX), Brown Co.	open all year	25	none
	All other tributaries to Green Bay in Brown County	May 6 - March 3	25	none
	All other tributaries to Green Bay	May 6 – March 3	10	none
TROUT and SALMON
	Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries	open all year	5 (lake trout, other trout and salmon in total)	10 inches
	All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam or lake	May 6 – March 3

LAKE MICHIGAN

Includes the Bay of Green Bay, the Fox River upstream to the DePere dam, Sturgeon Bay, other bays to Lake Michigan and Green Bay.

Fishing Restrictions on Lake Michigan Waters

• Lake trout may not be possessed while fishing within the area indicated on the map: Sheboygan

43° 30'

Port Washington

MID LAKE REEF COMPLEX

43° 20'

• All other statewide fishing restrictions apply
• Goldfish may not be possessed or used for bait. Alewife and live native crayfish maybe used for bait on Lake Michigan. Non-native crayfish may only be possessed and used if dead.
• All ice fishing shelters must be removed daily and when not in use after the first Sunday following March 12 on Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
• Motor trolling is permitted on Lake Michigan with three hooks, baits or lures per person.
• You must have a fishing license and a Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp privilege or a valid two-day Sports Fishing License to fish for trout and salmon in Lake Michigan.
• Smelt and suckers: See the Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting and Bait Harvest Regulations, 2023–2024 for regulations on taking smelt and suckers with nets and spears.
• All other statewide fishing restrictions apply.
• Please note: Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Michigan.

FISH SPECIES Species not listed are governed by inland fishing regulations		OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MIN. LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH BASS and SMALLMOUTH BASS
	Within one-fourth mile of all islands in the Town of Washington Island	July 1 – March 3 (There is no catch and release fishing prior to July 1 opener)	5 in total	12 inches
	Other Lake Michigan waters	May 6 – March 3	5 in total	14 inches
		At all other times of year	0 (catch and release only)
MUSKELLUNGE (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
	North of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	May 27 – Dec. 31 (on open water only)	1	54 inches
	South of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	May 6 – Dec. 31	1	40 inches

LAKE MICHIGAN (CONT.)

NORTHERN PIKE
	North of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	open all year	5	none
	South of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	open all year	2	26 inches
BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, SUNFISH, YELLOW PERCH, and CRAPPIE		open all year for bluegill, sunfish and crappie	25 in total; includes yellow perch limit	none
YELLOW PERCH in Green Bay and the Fox River		May 20, 2023 – March 15, 2024	15
YELLOW PERCH in Lake Michigan		June 16, 2023 – April 30, 2024	5
LAKE STURGEON		closed all year
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)
	Fox River from its mouth upstream to the dam at DePere	March 6, 2023– May 5, 2023	1 in total	28 inches
		May 6, 2023 – March 3, 2024	3 in total	none
		March 4, 2024 – May 3, 2024	1 in total	28 inches
	Lake Michigan Waters North of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	March 6, 2023– May 5, 2023	1 in total	15 inches
		May 6, 2023 – March 3, 2024	5 in total	15 inches
		March 4, 2024 – May 3, 2024	1 in total	15 inches
	Lake Michigan Waters South of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc	open all year	5 in total	15 inches
RUFFE and GOBIES		Closed all year-one may be killed and possessed for transport to aWDNR Service Center or Regional Office.
WHITE PERCH		open all year	none	none
CISCO and WHITEFISH		open all year	10 in total	none
LAKE TROUT (Lake trout regulations have changed effective July 23, 2021))
	Mid Lake Reef Complex	No open season
	Other L. Michigan Waters	open all year	5 in total with other trout and salmon	10 inches
OTHER TROUT and SALMON		open all year	5 in total with lake trout	10 inches

LAKE SUPERIOR

Includes bays and harbors (except Allouez Bay,Superior Bay, St. Louis Bay Little Pokegama Bay, Pokegama Bay, and Kimballs Bay are considered boundary waters and are regulated by Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary water regulations). See the trout regulation pamphlet for regulations that apply to trout (including steelhead) and salmon caught from streams flowing into Lake Superior. Fish species not listed here are governed by general inland fishing regulations except for the St. Louis River, which is governed by Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary water regulations.

Fishing Restrictions on Lake Superior Waters

• Please note: Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Superior.
• No fishing is allowed in the refuge indicated on the map.
• Goldfish and alewife may not be possessed or used for bait in Lake Superior. Live native crayfish may be used for bait on Lake Superior, but not on streams that flow into the lake. Non-native crayfish may only be possessed and used if dead.
• All ice fishing shelters must be removed from Lake Superior waters by the first Sunday after March 12.
• Motor trolling is permitted on Lake Superior with three hooks, baits or lures per person.
• If you fish in Lake Superior waters that are under the jurisdiction of other states or Canada, make sure you have the appropriate fishing license first, and obey the fishing regulations issued by those states or provinces.

• You must have a fishing license and a Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp privilege or a two-day Great Lakes (Sports) Fishing License to fish for trout and salmon in Lake Superior. You need an inland trout stamp privilege to fish for trout and salmon, including steelhead, in streams that flow into LakeSuperior.
• Smelt and other fish: See the 2023–2024 Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations for regulations on taking smelt and other fish with nets and spears.

LAKE SUPERIOR (CONT.)

FISH SPECIES Species not listed governed by inland fishing regulations		OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MIN. LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH BASS (LMB) HARVEST (includes Kakagon River and Slough)		May 6 – March 3	1	22 inches
SMALLMOUTH BASS (SMB) HARVEST (includes Kakagon River and Slough)		June 17 – March 3	1 in total with LMB	22 inches
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS (includes Kakagon River and Slough)		At all other times of year	0 (catch and release only)
NORTHERN PIKE (may also be speared through the ice on Lake Superior)
	Lake Superior	open all year	2	26 inches
	Tributaries and connected sloughs upstream to first dam or lake	May 6 – March 3	2	26 inches
PANFISH: BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, SUNFISH, YELLOW PERCH, and CRAPPIE		open all year	25	none
ROCK BASS		open all year	none	none
LAKE STURGEON (Lake sturgeon taken with hook and line must be tagged and registered.)		open all year	1 per year	60 inches
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)		open all year	5 in total, only 1 over 20 inches	15 inches
Tributaries and connected sloughs		May 6 – March 3		15 inches
RUFFE and GOBIES		closed all year—one may be killed and possessed for transport to a DNR office
WHITE PERCH		open all year	none	none
CISCO and WHITEFISH (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)		open all year	10 in total	none
TROUT (RAINBOW, BROWN, BROOK, and SPLAKE)		open all year	5 in total of which only 1 may be rainbow trout and 1 may be brook trout	rainbow trout —26" brook trout—20"; brown trout and splake—15"
LAKE TROUT only		Dec. 1 to Sept. 30	2 in total; when harvest east of Bark Point reaches 9,500 fish, the season may be closed (no fishing for lake trout). 3 in total west of Bark Point	15" but only one may be longer than 25".
SALMON (COHO, CHINOOK, PINK, and ATLANTIC)		open all year	5	none

WINNEBAGO SYSTEM WATERS

Includes Poygan, Winneconne, Butte des Morts, and Winnebago and all their tributaries from their mouths upstream to the first dam including the Fox river from Lake Winnebago upstream to the dam above Princeton and all its tributaries from their mouths upstream to the first dam; the Wolf river from its mouth upstream to the dam in the city of Shawano and all its tributaries from their mouths upstream to the first dam including Cincoe lake, Partridge Crop lake and Partridge lake in Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca,Waushara and Winnebago counties. Please note: Little Lake Butte des Morts is not part of the Winnebago System (see Winnebago County on p. 60)

FISH SPECIES (for species not listed, see General Inland Waters table on p. 62-63)	OPEN SEASON (all dates inclusive)	DAILY LIMIT	MIN. LENGTH
LARGEMOUTH and SMALLMOUTH BASS	Open all year	5 in total	14"
ROCK, YELLOW (STRIPED) and WHITE BASS	Open all year	none	none
PANFISH: BLUEGILL, PUMPKINSEED, SUNFISH, CRAPPIE, and YELLOW PERCH	Open all year	25 in total	none
BULLHEADS (Brown, Black, and Yellow)	Open all year	none	none
ROUGH FISH (Hook and line only - see definition) - For methods other than conventional hook and line, please see the Setline, Set and Bank Pole Regulations or the Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations pamphlets	Open all year	none	none
CHANNEL CATFISH - For methods other than conventional hook and line, please see the Setline, Set and Bank Pole Regulations or the Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations pamphlets	Open all year	25 in total, but only 24 if one flathead catfish is possessed	none
FLATHEAD CATFISH - For methods other than conventional hook and line, please see the Setline, Set and Bank Pole Regulations or the Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations pamphlets	May 6 - Sept. 30	1	30" and flathead catfish from 36" to 42" may not be possessed
MUSKELLUNGE	May 6 - Dec. 31	1	50"
NORTHERN PIKE	May 6 - March 3	2	26"
LAKE STURGEON (see the Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing regulations for spearing season and spearing license purchasing information).	Hook and line fishing closed all year	-	-
WALLEYE and SAUGER (INCLUDES HYBRIDS)	Open all year	3 in total; only 1 may be a sauger or hybrid	none