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Fishing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Fishing at a Glance
If you love fishing, Wisconsin is the place for you. With over 15,000 lakes and 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, there’s no shortage of places to fish. And because Wisconsin is home to so many different kinds of fish – including bass, trout, walleye, and muskie – there’s something for everyone.
Wisconsin’s high-quality lakes and rivers are also host to many national fishing tournaments and events. The National Walleye Tour often has competitions in Wisconsin, while Major League Fishing has included stops in their Bass Pro Tour and Pro Circuit Championship that take place in its waters.
If you’re looking to do some fishing in Wisconsin, there are a few things you should know. For starters, you’ll need to have a fishing license. You can purchase one online or at most bait shops and sporting goods stores. The cost of a license varies depending on how long it’s valid for, but they usually start at just $20 for residents. Check the state DNR links below for more information.
Wisconsin ranks #9 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enhtusiasts with over 22.05% of the population having fishing licenses.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 5,893,718 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 1,299,830 |
| Fishing License % | 22.05% |
| Hunters Rank | 9 |
The state of Wisconsin is mostly private land with just 16.2% of acres considered public land -ranking #18 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 34,761,000 | ||
| Public | 5,633,610 | 16.21% | 18 |
| Private | 28,789,290 | 82.82% | 32 |
| Tribal | 338,100 | 0.97% | 14 |
Wisconsin Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Wisconsin DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Wisconsin DNR
101 S. Webster Street
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
- (888) 936-7463
Wisconsin’s waterways are home to a diverse array of fish species, from brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout to walleye, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and flathead catfish. Not only are the waters teeming with potential catches, but they also each have their own ideal habitats and conditions – perfect for anglers of all experience levels! To get the most out of your fishing trip, take some time to research the sorts of fish you’re looking to catch before you head out; this will increase your chances of success in no time.
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Fishing private land in Wisconsin
Fishing on private land in Wisconsin has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Wisconsin or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Lake Winnebago
2. Milwaukee River
3. Lake Michigan
4. Wisconsin River
5. Crawfish River
Fishing private land in Wisconsin
Fishing on private land in Wisconsin has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Wisconsin or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.