Waterbody · Wisconsin
Wisconsin River Fishing Regulations 2026
Wisconsin River fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 74 current rules from DNR. Anglers target walleye, musky, catfish.
Rules (74)
DNR regulates 74 rules across 6 species at this water.
Walleye
Amber Lake (Formerly Squaw Lake)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
one fish may be over 24” Walleye from 15” but less than 20” may be kept
Beauregard Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
only one over 24” may be kept walleye from 20-24” may not be kept
Bony LakeOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
Walleye of any length may be kept only one fish over 18” may be kept fish from 14” to 18” may not be kept
Ceded Territory: Quality Opportunity
- Daily bag
- 3 fish a day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
one fish over 24 inches
Crescent Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 28"
walleye from 22”-28” may not be kept
Crooked Lake (Bass And Gilkey Lakes Combined)
- Min size
- 18"
Eau Claire Lake, MiddleOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
Walleye of any length may be kept only one fish over 18” may be kept fish from 14” to 18” may not be kept
George Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 28"
walleye from 22”-28” may not be kept
Lake Redstone
- Min size
- 18"
Loon Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
only one over 24” may be kept walleye from 20-24” may not be kept
Lyman Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
only one over 24” may be kept walleye from 20-24” may not be kept
Minnesuing Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 20"
- Slot max
- 24"
only one over 24” may be kept walleye from 20-24” may not be kept
Pike Lake Chain (Includes Buskey Bay, Millicent, Hart, Twin Bear, Eagle, Flynn And Mccarry Lakes Combined)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 18"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 28"
fish from 22” to 28” may not be kept
Quality Opportunity
- Daily bag
- 3 fish a day
- Min size
- 18"
RehabilitationCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Daily bag
- 1 fish a day
- Min size
- 18"
- Slot min
- 22"
- Slot max
- 28"
Sand Lake (Includes Sissabagama Creek 1/2 Mile Upstream To Sand Lake Road)
- Min size
- 18"
Slow Growth
- Daily bag
- 3 fish a day
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 13"
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 24"
one fish over 24 inches
Special Opportunity Or BiomanipulationCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
West Plum Lake
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 20"
one fish may be over 24” Walleye from 15” but less than 20” may be kept
Wisconsin statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
Muskellunge
Memorable Opportunity Or Fishery Rehabilitation
- Min size
- 50"
Trophy Opportunity Or Biomanipulation
- Min size
- 50"
Wisconsin statewideIn season
- Season opens
- May 2
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 40"
Open season: May 2 - Dec. 31, 2026 (open water only)
Catfish
Consumptive Opportunity
- Daily bag
- 25 fish a day
Iowa Boundary Waters (Mississippi River)
- Daily bag
- 100 lbs/seine haul
(Oct 1–Apr 30)
Minnesota Boundary Waters (Mississippi / St. Croix)
- Daily bag
- 100 lbs/seine haul
(Oct 1–Apr 30)
Quality Opportunity
- Daily bag
- 10 fish a day
Wisconsin statewide
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
Lake Sturgeon
Wisconsin River From The Merrill Flowage Dam (Lincoln Co.) To The Mississippi River (Grant/Crawford Co.)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Catch and release: June 6, 2026 - March 7, 2027
Channel Catfish
Wisconsin statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
Statewide: General
Flathead Catfish
Wisconsin statewide
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
Statewide: General
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Wisconsin River?
DNR regulates fishing on Wisconsin River.
What species can I target on Wisconsin River?
Wisconsin River is best known for walleye, musky, catfish. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DNR on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .