Catfish Bow, Crossbow and Hand Fishing Regulations The hand fishing season runs from June 1 to Aug. 31. For more detailed information, see the latest regulation fact sheet [Download PDF].
When can you fish in Wisconsin?
first Saturday in May
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 out of season in Wisconsin?
Many fish species have no season, which means that you can catch and keep them at anytime of year. These include channel and flathead catfish, white bass, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, whitefish and bullhead.
Can you fish all year 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. Closing hours vary depending on available daylight.
How late can you ice fish in Wisconsin?
Typically in Wisconsin there’s a layer of ice around late December or early January. The season lasts as long as there’s safe ice, generally March or April, although there have been years when ice-out happens in May.
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.
When can you fish for walleye in Wisconsin?
Fishing Wisconsin
| Waters | Dates for Hook and Line Harvest |
|---|---|
| All other tributary streams & ditches to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March of the following year |
| All other waters of Green Bay, major Green Bay tributaries, Lake Michigan tributaries | Continuous |
How many rods can you fish with in Wisconsin?
three
Hooks, baits and lures all count toward the total of three (3). 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.
Can you shoot frogs with a gun in Wisconsin?
It is unlawful to take frogs by firearms or airguns. Possession Limit: 5 of each species (not Threatened or Endangered – see list at dnr. wi.gov), except there is no limit on the number that can be possessed which are collected and possessed for up to 24 hours for fishing bait.
How many tip ups can you have in Wisconsin?
How many tip-ups and fishing rods can one person have on the ice at one time? Statewide fishing restrictions apply: An angler may not fish with more than three hooks, baits or lures at one time. This means that an angler may set a tip-up and fish with two rods, or set two tip-ups and fish with one rod.
Can you fish for bass all year round in Wisconsin?
Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
Do you need a fishing license for catch-and-release 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.
How many bluegill can you keep in Wisconsin?
25
The angler can not then go to another lake with a two-walleye limit while still possessing the three fish from the previous lake.
Total daily bag limits for Wisconsin fish species.
| Species | Total daily bag limit |
|---|---|
| Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white and black crappie) | 25 in total |
Can you panfish year round in Wisconsin?
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.
Can you have a fire on the ice in Wisconsin?
Re: Fire on ice– need a fire pit
I know in Wisconsin you can’t have a fire on the ice. You can have a grill.
Is trout season open in Wisconsin?
– The early inland trout season on selected waters [PDF] runs from 5 a.m. on the first Saturday in January (Jan. 1, 2022) through the Friday preceding the first Saturday in May (May 6, 2022).
Why am I not catching any fish?
Each species of fish may prefer different temperatures. Some species may not be able to tolerate certain temperatures. If the water temperature gets too hot or cold, these fish tend to shut down. If the fish aren’t biting, it may be due to the water being too cold or too hot for them to behave as they normally would.
Where are crappies biting in Wisconsin?
Decent crappie can be found in most of the major lakes in the state including Beaver Dam Lake, Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, Big Green Lake, Castle Rock Lake, Chetac Lake, Geneva Lake, Gile Flowage Lake, Holcombe Flowage, Lac Vieux Desert, Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Chippewa, Lake du Bay, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Michigan, Lake
Where is the best walleye fishing in Wisconsin?
The Best Walleye Fishing In Wisconsin
- Lake Winnebago. The largest inland lake in Wisconsin is also home to some fantastic walleye fishing.
- Green Bay. The Bay of Green Bay and its tributaries are not only a spot to catch a lot of walleye but also to catch big walleye.
- Puckaway Lake.
- Lake Koshkonong.
- Lake Geneva.
Can you keep walleye in Wisconsin right now?
Opens the second Saturday in June. 15” minimum length limit, walleye from 20-24” may not be kept, only one over 24” may be kept, daily bag limit of 3 until an annual quota is met (announced locally), then catch-and-release to the first Sunday in March.
How many walleyes can you keep in Wisconsin?
The total statewide daily bag limit is five walleye. In the Ceded Territory, no more than three walleye may be taken from any individual water, but you can fish other waters to fill your statewide total daily bag limit of 5. While fishing, you cannot possess fish in excess of that lake or river’s daily bag limit.