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Pick your trip and we'll work out the cheapest licenses to buy, including any required stamps.
Licenses and prices
Checked Nov 4, 2026Prices for 2026-27. Prices as listed by Wisconsin DNR; the license page does not say whether any extra sales fee is added.
Where these prices come from: Prices from Wisconsin DNR's fishing license page.
How long annual licenses last: Annual licenses start on the purchase date and expire the following March 31. Sales open March 1. A 1-day license runs midnight to midnight. Official source
Non-residents (visitors)
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $55 | Official source |
| Non-resident 1-day fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $15 |
Runs midnight to midnight on the chosen day. Can be upgraded to an annual license for $40.75. Official source |
| Non-resident 4-day fishing license | Fresh | 4 days | $29 | Official source |
| Non-resident 15-day fishing license | Fresh | 15 days | $33 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Non-resident first-time buyer fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $28.75 |
Only for: For people who have not bought a Wisconsin fishing license in more than 10 years. Official source |
| Non-resident family annual fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $70 |
Only for: Covers the buyer, spouse and children aged 16-17. Official source |
| Non-resident 15-day family fishing license | Fresh | 15 days | $45 |
Only for: Covers a family including children 16-17. Official source |
| Non-resident 2-day Great Lakes fishing license (includes Great Lakes Salmon/Trout Stamp) | Fresh | 2 days | $14 |
Only for: Great Lakes and their tributaries only. Official source |
| Non-resident military fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $20 |
Only for: For qualifying non-resident military; not sold online. Official source |
| Non-resident student fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $20 |
Only for: For qualifying non-resident students at Wisconsin schools; not sold online. Official source |
Residents
| License | Water | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident 1-day fishing license | Fresh | 1 day | $8 |
Runs midnight to midnight on the chosen day. Can be upgraded to an annual license for $12.75. Official source |
| Age-limited licenses | ||||
| Resident annual fishing license Ages 18–64 | Fresh | Annual | $20 | Official source |
| Resident junior fishing license (16-17) Ages 16–17 | Fresh | Annual | $7 | Official source |
| Resident senior fishing license (65 and over) Ages 65+ | Fresh | Annual | $7 | Official source |
| Special licenses (conditions apply; not used by the calculator) | ||||
| Resident first-time buyer fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $5 |
Only for: For people who have not bought a Wisconsin fishing license in more than 10 years. Official source |
| Resident spousal fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $31 |
Only for: Covers a married couple; one spouse can buy it for both. Official source |
| Resident 2-day Great Lakes fishing license (includes Great Lakes Salmon/Trout Stamp) | Fresh | 2 days | $14 |
Only for: Great Lakes and their tributaries only. Official source |
| Resident 2-day inland lake trout fishing license (includes Inland Trout Stamp) | Fresh | 2 days | $14 |
Only for: Inland lake trout fishing only; see DNR for where it applies. Official source |
| Resident disabled fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $7 |
Only for: Needs qualifying disability documentation each time; not sold online. Official source |
| Resident veteran/disabled fishing license | Fresh | Annual | $3 |
Only for: For qualifying disabled veterans; not sold online. Official source |
| Resident Armed Forces fishing license (on furlough or leave) | Fresh | Annual | Free |
Only for: For resident service members on furlough or leave; not sold online. Official source |
Extra stamps and permits
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Inland Trout Stamp
$10Needed to fish for trout in inland waters.
Everyone Official source
-
Great Lakes Salmon/Trout Stamp
$10Needed to fish for salmon or trout in the Great Lakes and their tributaries (included in the 2-day Great Lakes license).
Everyone Official source
-
Sturgeon hook-and-line tag (resident)
$20Needed to keep a lake sturgeon (inland, or Wisconsin/Michigan boundary waters). Spearing licenses also $20.
Residents Official source
-
Sturgeon hook-and-line tag (non-resident)
$50Needed to keep a lake sturgeon (inland, or Wisconsin/Michigan boundary waters). Spearing licenses $65.
Non-residents Official source
Who doesn't need a license
Checked Nov 4, 2026-
Anyone under 16 (hook and line)
Fresh Everyone Official source2
-
Residents born before January 1, 1927
Fresh Residents · check this applies to you Official source
-
Fishing a self-contained pond on private land, with the owner's permission
Fresh Everyone Official source
-
Anyone on Free Fishing Weekends (first weekend in June and third weekend in January)
Fresh Everyone Official source2
Fishing licenses from other states aren't valid in Wisconsin, except under the border-water agreements below.
Free fishing days
Checked Nov 4, 2026Dates can move, and some free days are for residents only. Confirm with WDNR before you go.
- Jan 16–17, 2027 Winter Free Fishing Weekend: third Saturday in January and the Sunday after Fresh
- Jun 5–6, 2027 Summer Free Fishing Weekend: first Saturday in June and the Sunday after Fresh
Next dates not yet announced. Check the official page.
The rule: Summer Free Fishing Weekend: first Saturday in June and the Sunday after; Winter Free Fishing Weekend: third Saturday in January and the Sunday after.
Set in the administrative code (NR 21.015). No fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp needed, for residents and non-residents. All other rules apply. Announced dates: January 16-17 and June 5-6, 2027.
Residents and visitors
Checked Nov 4, 2026- Who counts as a resident
- A resident has kept a permanent home in Wisconsin for the 30 days immediately before applying, with the intent to make it their home (owning property alone is not enough). (at least 30 days)
How to buy a Wisconsin fishing license
Checked Nov 4, 2026Buy through Go Wild (gowild.wi.gov) online, at license sales locations or at DNR Service Centers. Some reduced-rate licenses are not sold online.
- Online
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources license sales
- License on your phone
- Accepted
- ID needed
- A valid driver's license or Social Security Number is needed to buy online.
Proof can be an electronic license on your phone, paper, a Conservation Card or an authenticated Wisconsin driver's license. A Conservation Card or driver's license cannot be used on Great Lakes or boundary waters: carry paper there.
On Great Lakes and boundary waters carry a paper license or show it on your phone: a Conservation Card or driver's license is not accepted there.
Charters, guides and piers
Checked Nov 4, 2026Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license.
Everyone 16 and over needs a fishing license on any state waters, and Great Lakes trout and salmon also need the stamp. The 2-day Great Lakes license includes the stamp and suits a charter trip.
Charter rules depend on the boat and where you fish. Ask the captain, and check WDNR's rules before you book.
Border waters
Mississippi River, St. Croix and St. Louis rivers (Minnesota)
Wisconsin and Minnesota residents with their own state's resident license, and non-residents with either state's license, may sport fish the boundary waters, including connected sloughs and backwaters. Follow the rules of the state whose waters you are in. Official source
Seasons and limits
Checked Nov 4, 2026Limits change, and many lakes, rivers and coastal areas have their own rules. Check WDNR's current rules before you keep a fish.
Statewide total daily bag limits from Wisconsin DNR. Size limits and many bag limits vary by water: check each lake or river. Total daily bag limit: the most fish of a species you may keep in one day across all waters fished.
| Species | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass Fresh | Statewide | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 5 total | – |
| Official source Largemouth bass limits in other states | ||||
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids Fresh | Statewide | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 5 total | – |
| Many waters, especially in the Ceded Territory, have lower limits. Official source Walleye limits in other states | ||||
| Muskellunge and hybrids Fresh | Statewide | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 1 | Inland waters: May 2 to December 31, 2026 (open water only) |
| Official source2 Muskellunge (muskie) limits in other states | ||||
| Northern pike Fresh | North of US Highway 10 | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 5 total | – |
| Northern pike | South of US Highway 10 | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 2 total | – |
| Official source Northern pike limits in other states | ||||
| Panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, crappie) Fresh | Statewide | No minimum on most waters | 25 total | – |
| Some lakes have lower panfish limits. Official source Crappie limits in other states | ||||
| Catfish Fresh | Statewide | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 25 total | – |
| Catfish | Lake Winnebago system | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | Only 1 flathead catfish | – |
| Official source Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Rock, white and yellow bass, and bullheads Fresh | Statewide | No minimum | No limit | – |
| Official source Catfish limits in other states | ||||
| Cisco, whitefish and hybrids Fresh | Inland and outlying waters | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 10 total | – |
| Official source | ||||
| Lake sturgeon Fresh | Statewide | Varies by water; check the DNR lake lookup | 1 per season (tag needed) | – |
| Many rivers are catch and release only from June 6, 2026 to March 7, 2027. Official source | ||||
| Inland trout Fresh | Inland streams, springs and spring ponds | Varies by stream category | Varies by stream category | April 4 to October 15, 2026 |
| Trout regulations are set by stream category; see the DNR trout regulations. Inland Trout Stamp needed. Official source Trout limits in other states | ||||
| Great Lakes salmon and trout Fresh | Set each year: check here. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior limits and seasons differ by zone and can change. Check DNR before fishing. Great Lakes Salmon/Trout Stamp needed. | |||
Compare Wisconsin with other states
Neighboring states, side by side: prices, age rules, free days and shared waters.
Questions
Do I need a fishing license in Wisconsin?
Yes, if you are 16 or older and fish public waters in Wisconsin, unless an exemption applies. No license is needed for: Anyone under 16 (hook and line).
How much is a non-resident fishing license in Wisconsin?
For an adult fishing fresh water, the cheapest options for 2026-27 are $15 for one day (Non-resident 1-day fishing license); $33 for seven days (Non-resident 15-day fishing license); $55 for a year (Non-resident annual fishing license). Prices as listed by Wisconsin DNR; the license page does not say whether any extra sales fee is added.
Do seniors need a fishing license in Wisconsin?
Senior options for residents: Resident senior fishing license (65 and over): $7 (ages 65+). Non-resident seniors pay the normal non-resident prices.
When is the next free fishing day in Wisconsin?
Jan 16–17, 2027 (Winter Free Fishing Weekend: third Saturday in January and the Sunday after). Set in the administrative code (NR 21.015). No fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp needed, for residents and non-residents. All other rules apply. Announced dates: January 16-17 and June 5-6, 2027.
How do I get a fishing license in Wisconsin?
Buy it from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Buy through Go Wild (gowild.wi.gov) online, at license sales locations or at DNR Service Centers. Some reduced-rate licenses are not sold online.
Do I need a license to fish on a charter in Wisconsin?
Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license. Everyone 16 and over needs a fishing license on any state waters, and Great Lakes trout and salmon also need the stamp. The 2-day Great Lakes license includes the stamp and suits a charter trip.
Sources and checks
Every fact on this page comes from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources unless it's marked secondary. We use a secondary source only when the official site doesn't show something, and we name it.
- Licenses and prices
- Checked Nov 4, 2026 (prices for 2026-27)
- Free fishing days
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
- Seasons and limits
- Checked Nov 4, 2026
All 10 source pages
- dnr.wi.gov/GoWild/faq.html
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/residencyrequirements.html
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/anglereducation/FreeFishingWeekend.html
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/fishinglicenses
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/regulations/NewRegulations
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations
- dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/dailybag.html
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/register/2024/827B/insert/nr21
- docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/29.228
- gowildagent.wi.gov/Pages/Fishing.aspx
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