Northern Region Fisheries Program

The Northern Region of Wisconsin contains over 15,000 lakes. There are eighteen counties in the northern region and these lakes have a variety of fisheries. Our lakes contain everything from bass to panfish, musky, walleye and northern pike. Throughout the year we will update fisheries events from the Northern Region Fisheries Staff. News releases will include scheduled events, hatchery tours, and current lakes being surveyed.

A beautiful area of the Northern Region, the rugged Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, will not fall victim to fragmented development along its shores. The scenic beauty and wild character will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

State Fish Hatchery Tours

It's not too early to start planning for a vacation. Keep the state fish hatcheries in mind when planning your vacation route. The hatcheries offer great opportunities to see fish as well as view exhibits which trace the life cycles of the fish reared at those facilities. You can also learn about techniques fisheries managers use to ensure the future of Wisconsin's fishing tradition.

In either case, all state hatcheries offer chances to watch fish. Hatchery fish need special care and diets to stay healthy. For that reason, we ask parents to please remind their children to keep food, fingers, rocks, sticks and other objects out of the water. Most hatchery tours will end Labor Day weekend. Call ahead to the local DNR office you plan on touring to check schedules. Also if you would like current stocking information, visit our Stocking Database [exit DNR].

Visit our Northern Region hatchery and rearing stations page for information on tour schedules. It is best to call the hatchery to check on tours before arriving. Tour schedules may change before spring. Also check out information on Free Fishing Weekend Events including events at our state hatcheries the first weekend in June.

More Information on Northern Region Fisheries...

Below are several links with additional information which you may be interested in seeing.

• Treaty Creel Survey list for 2009

  List of 2009 planned creel survey work.

• Treaty Creel Final Surveys

  List of creel final surveys on lakes surveyed in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

• Treaty Spring Surveys

  List of treaty spring surveys for lakes surveyed in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003.