The fishing year
April 2026 – March 2027General inland
Walleye
Northern pike
Largemouth bass (north, harvest)
Smallmouth bass (north, harvest)
Bass (south, harvest)
Musky (harvest)
Early inland trout (catch & release)
Inland trout, streams
Inland trout, lakes
Lake sturgeon, hook and line
Dates
| Season | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| General inland | May 2, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Walleye | May 2, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass (north, harvest) | May 2, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (north, harvest) | June 20, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Bass (south, harvest) | May 2, 2026 | March 7, 2027 |
| Musky (harvest) | May 2, 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| Early inland trout (catch & release) | January 3, 2026 | April 3, 2026 |
| Inland trout, streams | April 4, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
| Inland trout, lakes | May 2, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
| Lake sturgeon, hook and line | September 5, 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
Bass are catch and release outside harvest seasons. Panfish are open all year on most lakes. Every lake can have its own rules; check the lake's page.
Free Fishing Weekends
June 6-7, 2026 and January 16-17, 2027. Fish anywhere in Wisconsin with no license or trout stamp. License guide →
Dates from the Wisconsin DNR, checked 2026-10-07.