Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin
State, United States. Authority : Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
2025 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
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- Licence
- US$70Nonresident Family Annual
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmMuskellunge
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Responsible gearSingle-Hook Casting Spoons 26 g, Pack of 5For : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · spoon and spinner fishing
€23.90£12.90Not shipped to the United States
10 cm Hard Lures, Pack of 5 with BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2025 season calendar
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass3 statewide during harvest seasons | 35.6 cm | |
| Walleye3 most inland waters; Ceded Territory: 15-20 in with one over 24 in | 38.1 cm | |
| Northern pike (southern zone)3 no minimum in northern zone | 66 cm | |
| Muskellunge3 54 in on some boundary and tributary waters | 101.6 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Largemouth & smallmouth bass (combined)2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Walleye/sauger (combined)2 statewide | 5 per day |
| Northern pike (north of US Hwy 10)2 | 5 per day |
| Northern pike (south of US Hwy 10)2 | 2 per day |
| Muskellunge2 statewide | 1 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Fishing License1 | annual | US$20 |
| Resident Annual1 | annual | US$20 |
| Resident Senior Citizen (65+)1 | annual | US$7 |
| Resident First-time Buyer1 | annual | US$5 |
| Resident Spousal1 | annual | US$31 |
| Resident 1-Day1 | 1-day | US$8 |
| Resident 2-Day Great Lakes1 | 2-day | US$14 |
| Resident Junior (16-17)1 | annual | US$7 |
| Nonresident Annual1 | annual | US$55 |
| Nonresident 1-Day1 | 1-day | US$15 |
| Nonresident 4-Day1 | 4-day | US$29 |
| Nonresident 15-Day1 | 15-day | US$33 |
| Nonresident Family Annual1 | annual | US$70 |
| Nonresident 15-Day Family1 | 15-day | US$45 |
| Inland Trout Stamp1 | annual | US$10 |
| Great Lakes Salmon & Trout Stamp1 | annual | US$10 |
Buy the licence on gowild.wi.gov
- Ages and exemptions1
- Kids 15 and under fish without a license, as do anglers born before 1927. Senior (65+) resident license $7.
Good to know
Inland trout requires the $10 inland trout stamp; Great Lakes salmon/trout stamp $10. Zones: northern/southern (bass, musky) and US Hwy 10 line (pike). Many county-specific special regulations.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- dnr.wisconsin.gov and gowild.wi.gov unreachable on 2026-09-23 (DNS SERVFAIL): fees and seasons not confirmed for 2026-27; values are 2025 / 2025-26 from the WDNR guide on eRegulations
- 2026-27 season dates not found
- license validity period not stated
- purchase link gowild.wi.gov not verified (site unreachable)
- statewide trout minimum length not captured (varies by stream category)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Lake Winnebago lake, Winnebago County
Muskellunge View on the map - Lake Poygan lake, Winnebago County
Muskellunge View on the map - Chippewa Flowage (Lake Chippewa) reservoir, Sawyer County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Turtle-Flambeau Flowage reservoir, Iron County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Big Eau Pleine Reservoir reservoir, Marathon County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Lake Wissota reservoir, Chippewa County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Lac Courte Oreilles lake, Sawyer County
Walleye View on the map - Trout Lake lake, Vilas County
Muskellunge View on the map - Pelican Lake lake, Oneida County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Lac Vieux Desert lake, Vilas County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Namekagon Lake lake, Bayfield County
Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Wisconsin in 2025?
The “Nonresident Family Annual” licence costs US$70 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Wisconsin?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Wisconsin Fishing Licenses and Fees (WDNR guide on eRegulations, updated 2025-04-24) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Wisconsin Fishing Seasons & Limits (updated 2025-04-23) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Wisconsin Fishing General Information (states published by the Wisconsin DNR) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/wisconsin/fishing
Last checked : 23 September 2026.