Boat and Shore Fishing Access — Background
All Wisconsin citizens have the right to boat, fish, hunt, ice skate, and swim on navigable waters. This also includes enjoying the natural scenic beauty of navigable water and enjoying the quality and quantity of water that supports these uses. The state Constitution and the Public Trust Doctrine declare that all navigable waters are "common highways and forever free." Since all navigable waters are public, they may be used for water based recreation, provided public access is available, or you have permission of the landowner to cross their property to reach the water. The WDNR is in charge of upholding this Public Trust Doctrine.
People in Wisconsin enjoy the luxury of being close to water nearly everywhere they go. Wisconsin has over 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers, and 650 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. Two highly favored pastimes throughout the state are boating and fishing.
Therefore, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) created a statewide inventory of both public boat access sites and public fishing piers. This inventory contains over 2,000 identified public boat access sites and over 100 developed shore fishing sites. Developed shore fishing sites include accessible fishing piers, flat fishing spots on the shoreline, and shoreline fishing trails with multiple fishing stations.
Boat Ramp Fees
Upkeep and maintenance for these boat launches/ramps is provided through user fees (launch fees). The mapping application indicates which sites require user fees.
Project Funding
Funding for this project was provided by a Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) (Exit DNR) grant through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This program is designed to help conserve, develop, and enhance the Nation's fish and wildlife resources, and to protect their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The SFR program is funded through an excise tax placed on the sale of fishing equipment such as fishing rods, reels, artificial bait, flies, and lures, import duties on fishing equipment and pleasure boats, and a tax for motorboat fuel sales.
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