With more than 15,000 lakes, over 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and roughly 150 species of fish — bass, bluegills, bullheads, crappies, catfish, musky, perch, pike, walleye and more —
angling on any of Wisconsin's waters is very accessible
.
When can you fish on lakes in Wisconsin?
Opening day for Wisconsin fishing is traditionally
the first Saturday in May
. Season dates often vary by species and waterbody. Check The Guide To Hook And Line Fishing Season Dates, 2022-2023 for specifics where you plan to fish.
Can you fish from shore in Wisconsin?
No problem! You don't need a boat to go fishing –
you can fish from shore
or have fun wading in the water! Check out our shore access inventory to find a place to fish near you.
Can you fish without a license in Wisconsin?
Fishing Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents and non-residents 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state.
Children under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license
.
Are all lakes in Wisconsin public?
In the state of Wisconsin,
all water bodies are deemed public
.
How many fishing rods can you use in Wisconsin?
As a result, the maximum number of poles/rods/lines is
three (3)
as long as you have only one (1) bait on each pole/rod/line. More than one bait per line will require you to use fewer than three (3) poles/rods/lines.
Where are fish biting in Wisconsin?
- Big Saint Germain Lake. Anietra holding a musky on Big Saint Germain Lake | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper. …
- Lake Winnebago. …
- Eau Claire Chain of Lakes. …
- Jute Lake. …
- Kickapoo River. …
- Mississippi River Pool 10. …
- Black Earth Creek. …
- Barge Fishing Mississippi River.
Are there salmon in Wisconsin?
All about fishing for Atlantic, chinook, coho, kokanee and pink salmon.
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are the primary waters for salmon fishing around Wisconsin
. The tributaries flowing into these lakes also contain salmon at varying times of the year, especially during the spawn.
When can I fish for bass in Wisconsin?
| General Inland Waters Dates for Hook and Line Harvest | Northern Zone – Largemouth bass harvest First Saturday in May through the first Sunday in March of the following year | Northern Zone – Smallmouth bass harvest Third Saturday in June through the first Sunday in March of the following year |
|---|
Can you fish all year round in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin fishing license is also required.
The lakes are open to continuous year-round fishing for all species unless specified
. The research station is open from 4 a.m. to 8-10 p.m. during the open water season and 4 a.m. to 6-8 p.m. during the ice fishing season.
What is the best month to fish in Wisconsin?
June
. Make summer a great time with fishing. Bass and panfish opportunities are plentiful across the state, as they move into shallow water to build nests and spawn. Large and smallmouth bass are usually well into their spawning period in northern Wisconsin.
Can you boat on Lake Wisconsin?
Lake Wisconsin is a 7197 acre lake located in Columbia, Sauk Counties. It has a maximum depth of 24 feet.
Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings
. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Trout, Walleye and Catfish.
How much is a fishing license in Wisconsin?
| Type $ | Fishing, Annual 20.00 | Fishing. First-time buyer. 5.00 | Fishing 1-Day (Can be used towards an upgrade to annual license for $12.75) 8.00 | Fishing, Junior (16 & 17 years old) 7.00 |
|---|
How much is a Wisconsin non resident fishing license?
| Type $ | Fishing, Annual 50.00 | Fishing, Family Annual (primary) (includes children 16 and 17 years of age) 65.00 | Fishing, Family Annual (secondary) 0.00 | Fishing, 1-day (Can be used towards upgrade to annual license for $40.75) 10.00 |
|---|
Can I go fishing in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin,
there's always something to fish somewhere, 365 days a year
. There are limited open seasons for certain species and waters. Before you hit the water, check the season dates for your favorite species and favorite waters.
Is magnet fishing illegal in Wisconsin?
There are ample opportunities for magnet fishing in the state. “There's a lot of public access to water in Wisconsin,” Walters said. With magnet fishing,
there is no license required
. The state Department of Natural Resources has no problem with magnet fishing.
Do all Wisconsin lakes require public access?
In general,
access is required to all lakes and streams deemed to be public
, or “waters of the state”, including but not limited to: • Lakes meandered by the original USPLS surveys. Waters of the Great Lakes. Named creeks, streams, and rivers.
Can you own a private lake in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law recognizes that
an owner of land that borders lakes and rivers, known as a riparian owner – holds rights to use the water next to their property
. Riparian rights include the use of the shoreline, reasonable use of the water, and a right to access the water.
Are stinger hooks legal in Wisconsin?
Re: stinger hooks legal? The regulation governing this part of Wisconsin fishing is not written in terms of the number or poles/rods/lines. It reads, “
No person may do any of the following … fish with more than three (3) hooks, baits or lures
.”
Is snagging carp illegal in Wisconsin?
| State Is snagging game fish legal? Is snagging rough fish legal? | West Virginia NO YES | Wisconsin NO NO | Wyoming NO NO |
|---|
How many hooks can you fish with in WI?
Wisconsin rules restrict anglers to
no more than three hooks
, three baits or three lures. That means this rig would not be legal to use in Wisconsin if the angler has a separate hook, bait or lure attached to each of the five wires as shown in advertisements and You-Tube videos.
Is fishing good in Wisconsin right now?
In addition to a high abundance of Muskies, the most recent 2020 electrofishing survey showed
good numbers of Black Crappie, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass
. With the variety of species Day Lake has to offer this gives fishing opportunities for all.
Where can you find big bluegill in Wisconsin?
Lake Onalaska
– If you want to catch a big bluegill, head to Onalaska and fish 7,700-acre Lake Onalaska. The great bluegill fishing here is no secret – the lake carries the moniker, “Sunfish Capital of the World.” Lake DuBay – This vast flowage north of Stevens Point is crappie heaven.
Where is Fish Lake Wisconsin?
Fish Lake is a 199 acre lake located in
Dane County
. It has a maximum depth of 62 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings.
What is the biggest fish in Wisconsin?
| Species Weight Date Caught | Muskellunge 69 lbs. 11 oz. 10/20/1949 | Muskellunge, Tiger 51 lbs. 3 oz. 07/16/1919 | Northern Pike 38 lbs. 0 oz. 08/06/1952 | Perch, White 1 lbs. 6 oz. 03/14/2020 |
|---|
Are there trout in Lake Michigan?
It can be found in all five of the Great Lakes and many large, deep, cold water inland lakes of Michigan
. The lake trout prefers water temperatures between 40-55 degrees Fahrenheit. In the fall, winter and spring seasons this fish may be found in shallow water areas of the lake, 10 to 30 feet deep.
Can you eat Lake Michigan brown trout?
“
Pretty much everything is edible in Lake Michigan with moderation
,” he says. Reiser brings up to six people on chartered fishing trips in Lake Michigan, leaving from 31st Street Harbor. They catch chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
