The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding everyone that the 2025-2026 general inland fishing season opens Saturday, May 3rd across the state.
With thousands of lakes, streams, and miles of shoreline, anglers have no shortage of places to cast their lines. And now, choosing a spot is easier than ever with the new Wisconsin Fishing Finder—a one-stop online tool for checking fishing regulations, boat launch sites, and fish stocking info.
All Wisconsin residents and nonresidents aged 16 or older must have a valid fishing license. Licenses are available through the Go Wild website, DNR Service Centers, or registered vendors. A standard annual resident license is $20, or $31 for a spousal license.
Before heading out, the DNR urges anglers to:
Prevent the spread of invasive species by cleaning boats and gear,
Drain all compartments before leaving any waterbody,
Practice safe fish handling if releasing your catch, and
Always wear a life jacket when on the water.
Full fishing regulations are available online and in multiple languages. For more information, visit the Wisconsin DNR’s Fishing webpage.
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