Fishing Forecasts Look Promising. MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers that the 2021-2022 fishing season will open
May 1
, without any changes to season dates.
Is it free fishing weekend in Wisconsin this weekend?
Free Fishing Weekends are always held the third full weekend in January and the first full weekend in June
. Upcoming dates: June 4-5, 2022 and January 21-22, 2023.
When can you not fish in Wisconsin?
Anglers should be aware that the game fish season on most inland Wisconsin waters closes at the end of the day on
Sunday, March 6
. The panfish seasons remain open year-round as does the season for certain game fish on select lakes and rivers, including much of the Wisconsin River and its impoundments.
Do you need a fishing license in Wisconsin right now?
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.
Can you fish in March in Wisconsin?
March.
The inland game fish season closes the first Sunday of the month
, with anglers often taking advantage of the last few days. In northern Wisconsin, ice fishing for panfish continues, with bluegill and crappie activity often picking up. Ice is often gone or in poor conditions in other areas of the state.
Can you fish 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.
Is trout season open in Wisconsin?
Early Trout Season. – The early inland trout season on selected waters [PDF] runs from 5 a.m. on the first Saturday in January (January 1, 2022) through the Friday preceding the first Saturday in May (May 6, 2022).
How much is a Wisconsin fishing license?
| Type $ | Fishing, Annual 20.00 | Fishing 1-Day (Can be used towards upgrade to annual license for $12.75) 8.00 | Fishing, Junior (16 & 17 years old) 7.00 | Fishing, Senior Citizen (65 years & older) 7.00 |
|---|
Can you keep bass in Wisconsin?
Chief among them is
a statewide regulation that allows anglers to catch-and-release largemouth and smallmouth bass any time of year
.
When can you 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 |
|---|
Is walleye season open in Wisconsin?
| Waters Dates for Hook and Line Harvest | General Inland Waters First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March of the following year | Fox River downstream from DePere Continuous | Boundary Waters Dates for Hook and Line Harvest |
|---|
How much is the fine for fishing without a license in Wisconsin?
What if I fish without a license? Fishing without a valid Wisconsin fishing license carries a penalty of
at least $100
. Fines vary from county to county, but you can expect to pay a hefty sum for breaking the rules.
Who can fish for free in Wisconsin?
Why You Have to Be
93 Years Old
(and Counting) to Fish Free in Wisconsin. You had to be born before Jan. 1, 1927 to get a free fishing license in Wisconsin. That date hasn't changed since 1992.
How long are Wisconsin fishing license good for?
Fishing license valid dates
begins on the day of purchase and ends on the following March 31
. Customers may purchase their license any time throughout the season, but it will always expire on the next March 31.
How do you get your fishing license?
Buying a fishing license is quick, easy and directly contributes toward conservation efforts. In most states,
licenses can be purchased online, by phone or at retail establishments
. Purchase a Fishing License in Your State.
What is a Wisconsin spousal fishing license?
The Resident Spousal fishing price is $31
. If one person is 65 years old, it will be cheaper to purchase individual licenses ($20 for the younger and $7 for the one aged 65 or older). Likewise, if one of them is a “New Buyer” that has not purchased Wisconsin fishing in the last 10 years, theirs will be $5.
What can I fish in early spring in Wisconsin?
- Walleye. This fish was caught jigging along the Lacrosse River in March 2020. …
- Perch. Perch fishing on the Mississippi River is one of the hottest bites in Wisconsin each Spring. …
- White Bass. …
- Smallmouth Bass. …
- Crappie. …
- Largemouth Bass. …
- Bluegill. …
- Channel Catfish.
What is the best time to fish in the morning?
Generally speaking, the best time of day to catch fish is in the reduced daylight hours
from dawn until 2 hours after sunrise
and from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. During these windows, light is reduced, prey becomes more active, and water temperatures cool allowing fish to more freely hunt for food.
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.
Is the Fox River open for fishing?
| Species Total Fish Caught | Smallmouth Bass 21 |
|---|
Can you use bluegill as bait in Wisconsin?
Fishing Wisconsin
Fish other than minnows may be used as bait.
Typically, bluegills and perch are used in this fashion
. However, if there is a minimum length limit for the baitfish on that water, it still applies.
How big do bluegill have to be in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, bluegills
9 to 10 inches
(which are often male) can be as old as 14 to 16 years. Heavy harvesting on some lakes and chains of lakes currently prevents most panfish from surviving beyond age 4 (when they measure in at 5 inches).
When can you fish trout in Wisconsin?
| Waters Dates for Hook and Line Harvest | Early inland trout waters Catch and Release 5 am on the first Saturday in January to the Friday preceding the First Saturday in May at midnight | General Inland Trout Season First Saturday in May from 5:00 AM to October 15 . |
|---|
Where can I find rainbow trout in Wisconsin?
- Kinnickinnic River. – River Falls.
- Namekagon River. – Cable.
- St. Croix Headwaters. – Solon Springs.
- Kickapoo River West Fork. – Viroqua.
- Pike River. – Marinette County.
Can you keep brown trout in Wisconsin?
Trout Stream Regulations
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers four sets of regulations for trout streams in the Fennimore area.
Category 3 streams offer the standard regulation of a three trout a day bag limit with a minimum size limit of 9 inches for brook, brown and rainbow trout
.
