DNR News Release Header Image [ [link removed] ]
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: *April 24, 2025
*Contact: *DNR Office of Communications
[email protected]
Wisconsin's General Fishing Season Opens May 3
A man in a hooded sweatshirt and life jacket smiles while holding a nice walleye.
With over 15,000 inland lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and 260 miles of the Mississippi River, angling opportunities abound in Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
*MADISON, Wis.* – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers the 2025-2026 general inland fishing season will open statewide Saturday, May 3.
With more than 15,000 inland lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and 260 miles of the Mississippi River, there are plenty of great places to wet a line over opening weekend.
Need help picking a place to fish or want to explore new water? The new Wisconsin Fishing Finder [ [link removed] ] is here to help aid anglers in finding their next fishing adventure. It's a one-stop shop for fishing regulations, launch locations and access points, stocking information and more.
No matter where anglers decide to fish, all Wisconsin residents and nonresidents age 16 or older are required to purchase a fishing license. Annual resident licenses cost $20 each, or purchase a spousal license for $31 so you and your spouse can fish together. All fishing licenses and stamps can be purchased online via Go Wild [ [link removed] ], at a registered sales location [ [link removed] ] or at DNR Service Centers [ [link removed] ].
As anglers head out to their favorite fishing locations [ [link removed] ] across the state, the DNR would like to share these reminders:
* Help minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species [ [link removed] ] by removing plants and animals from boats before and after launching, draining all water from compartments and never moving live fish away from any waterbody.
* To prevent the spread of fish diseases, remove all water, aquatic vegetation and/or mud from fishing equipment before leaving their fishing location. All fishing equipment, including boats, trailers, boots, waders, nets and float tubes, should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being used again.
* If not keeping your catch, follow proper fish handling protocols to ensure a safe release [ [link removed] ].
* Follow safe boating procedures [ [link removed] ] and always wear a life jacket when on the water.
* Review all the rules and regulations [ [link removed] ] for the waters you intend to fish.
The full 2025-2026 hook and line fishing [ [link removed] ] and trout fishing regulations [ [link removed] ] are available online [ [link removed] ] and in print in English [ [link removed] ], Spanish [ [link removed] ], Hmong [ [link removed] ] and large print [ [link removed] ] versions.
Anglers can also find additional information on the DNR’s Fishing webpage [ [link removed] ] or by contacting your local fisheries biologist [ [link removed] ].
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[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · 101 S. Webster Street · Madison, WI 53707-7921 · 608-266-2621 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
