Wisconsin's Fishing Seasons

Opening day for Wisconsin fishing is traditionally the first Saturday in May. Hook and line fishing for many species of fish on many Wisconsin waters begins the first Saturday in May. However, to better manage Wisconsin fisheries, season dates are often specific to the species of fish as well as the water body.

The season dates web pages are organized alphabetically by fish species. For more information on using these season dates web pages refer to Using these Tables and the Definitions Web pages which accompany these tables.

Free Fishing Weekend is always the first full Saturday and Sunday in June.

Fish Species List

• Bass, Smallmouth and Largemouth
• Bass, White
• Bass, Yellow
• Bluegill (Panfish)
• Catfish (Channel, Flathead)
• Cisco (Lake Herring)
• Crappie (Panfish)
• Gobies
• Lake Sturgeon
• Muskellunge
• Northern Pike
• Panfish
• Pumpkinseed (Panfish)
• Perch, White
• Perch, Yellow (Panfish)
• Rock Bass
• Rough Fish & Bullheads
• Ruffe
• Sturgeon, Lake
• Sturgeon, Shovelnose
• Sunfish (Panfish)
• Trout and Salmon (includes early inland trout season)
• Trout, Extended Lake Superior Streams
• Walleye and Sauger (includes hybrids)
• Warmouth (Panfish)
• Whitefish
• Year Around Fishing Waters

These season dates Web pages are provided for general orientation only. You must refer to a copy of the current fishing regulations to determine whether or not the water body on which you plan to fish is an exception to the dates listed in these tables for either general inland or boundary and outlying waters.

While these tables may be helpful in planning fishing trips, they are not meant as a substitute for the dates provided in a current copy of relevant fishing regulations. Occasionally temporary or emergency rules are enacted which may change the dates for the fishing season for a species or waterbody.

Exceptions

Exceptions do exist. Not all Wisconsin waters follow the general dates for hook and line or trout season. You must still consult the special county or boundary waters tables in the current Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations to determine if any special season dates exist for the particular waters you plan to fish with hook and line.

If planning to fish for trout, you must consult the current Trout Regulations and Guide for any exceptions. This is the only way to determine whether or not the waters you plan to fish follow the season dates for general inland waters listed below.

Species Not Listed

Species not listed have no open season. It is illegal to fish for a species during the closed season for that species, this includes catch and release fishing! It is also illegal to take, transport, possess or sell within this state any wild animals specified by the DNR's endangered or threatened species list. Be sure to be familiar with the fish on this list.