Fishing Seasons - Wisconsin DNR

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Fishing seasons

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, 2025-2026, for specifics of where you plan to fish.

Fishing season dates for the 2026-2027 season

2026-2027 Fishing Season Dates

(Effective Date: April 1, 2026; Dates Inclusive)

Early Inland Trout (catch and release)January 3, 2026 (5 a.m.) - April 3, 2026

General Inland Trout (inland streams, springs and spring ponds)April 4, 2026 (5 a.m.) - Oct. 15, 2026

General Inland Trout (inland lakes and ponds)May 2, 2026 (5 a.m.) - Oct. 15, 2026

General Inland FishingMay 2, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Largemouth Bass Northern Zone HarvestMay 2, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Smallmouth Bass Northern Zone HarvestJune 20, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Large And Smallmouth Bass Southern Zone Harvest May 2, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Large And Smallmouth Bass Catch And ReleaseAt all other times of the year.

Musky Harvest (statewide inland)May 2, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2026

Northern PikeMay 2, 2026 - March 7, 2027

WalleyeMay 2, 2026 - March 7, 2027

Lake SturgeonFeb. 14, 2026 - Feb. 23, 2026 (Winnebago System spearing)Sept. 5, 2026 - Sept. 30, 2026 (hook-and-line)

Free Fishing WeekendsJune 6-7, 2026Jan. 16-17, 2027

Not sure which zone you're fishing in? Have other questions? Refer to the Wisconsin Fishing Season Definitions for specifics.

Fish species list

Dig deeper into the specific seasons for each species.

• Bass, largemouth and smallmouth
• Bass, white
• Bass, yellow
• Bluegill (Panfish)
• Catfish (channel, flathead)
• Cisco (Lake herring)
• Crappie (Panfish)
• Gobies
• Muskellunge
• Northern pike
• Panfish (Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish, Yellow perch)
• 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-round fishing waters

While these tables may help plan fishing trips, always refer to the fishing regulations for specifics. Please note that temporary or emergency rules may be enacted, which could change the fishing season dates for a species or waterbody. If that happens, please look for signs posted at boat landings.

Exceptions

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

Species Not Listed

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

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