Wisconsin's Fishing Seasons: Bass, Small and Largemouth
Be sure to view "Using these Tables" and "Definitions" for help in reading these tables.
Exceptions
Not all Wisconsin waters follow the fishing season dates for a species for general inland waters or boundary and outlying waters. Exceptions do exist! You must consult the special county regulations in the current hook and line or trout regulations guides, as appropriate, to determine if any special season dates exist for the particular waters you plan to fish. This is the only way to determine whether or not the waters you plan to fish follow the season dates for general inland or boundary and outlying waters listed below. Unless noted otherwise, the dates listed are for hook and line harvest of fish, not catch and release. Dates are inclusive.
You must also consult the current fishing regulations for information concerning bag and minimum length limits for a species.
| General Inland Waters | Dates for Hook and Line Harvest |
|---|---|
| Northern Zone - catch and release | First Saturday in May through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June |
| Northern Zone - harvest | Third Saturday in June through the first Sunday in March of the following year |
| Southern Zone - harvest | First Saturday in May through the first Sunday in March of the following year |
| Boundary and Outlying Waters | Dates for Hook and Line Harvest |
| St. Louis River | Saturday preceding Memorial Day to March 1 |
| St. Croix River upstream from the dam at St. Croix Falls | Saturday preceding Memorial Day to, but not including, the second Monday in September |
| St. Croix River upstream from the dam at St. Croix Falls - catch and release | Second Monday in September to March 1 |
| St. Croix River downstream from the dam at St. Croix Falls to the Hwy 10 Bridge at Prescott | Saturday preceding Memorial Day to March 1 |
| Mississippi River | Continuous |
| Lake Superior and connected sloughs, Kakagon River - catch and release | First Saturday in May to Friday preceding the third Saturday in June |
| Lake Superior and connected sloughs, Kakagon River - harvest | Third Saturday in June to March 1 |
| Outlying waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan within 1/4 mile of Washington, Detroit, Plum, Pilot, Hog or Rock Islands | July 1 to March 1 |
| Lake Winnebago system waters | Continuous |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters - catch and release | First Saturday in May to the Friday preceding third Saturday in June |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters - harvest | Third Saturday in June through November 30 |
| Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters | Continuous |
For general orientation purposes only. Users must consult the current relevant Wisconsin fishing regulations for exceptions to these dates and complete regulatory information. Dates are subject to change.
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