Fishing in Wisconsin

PiscaMaps covers 5,056 public fishing venues across Wisconsin in 6 regions — 3,561 lakes and reservoirs and 1,466 rivers. The largest is Lake Michigan, at 1,776,000 acres. Wisconsin River is the longest mapped river, running 605 km. Northwoods has the most venues on file, with 2,612. 74 venues are documented trout waters.

The most commonly recorded species across Wisconsin's public waters are Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch and Rock Bass — the exact mix varies by water type and region. 754 venues have a real boat ramp on file, 934 have nearby camping, and 1,141 have mapped parking — sourced from OpenStreetMap and recreation.gov's federal facilities database (RIDB) where available.

Fishing Regions in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's public fishing venues are spread across 6 regions on PiscaMaps:

Northwoods · 2,612 West Central · 877 Fox Valley & Lakeshore · 862 Southeast Wisconsin · 251 South Central · 249 Driftless Area · 176

Species Recorded in Wisconsin

The most frequently recorded species across Wisconsin's public venues on PiscaMaps:

Largemouth Bass · 4,892 Northern Pike · 4,847 Walleye · 4,756 Bluegill · 4,733 Black Crappie · 4,236 Smallmouth Bass · 3,751 Yellow Perch · 3,268 Rock Bass · 3,228 Channel Catfish · 2,388 Common Carp · 2,357

Fishing Licence in Wisconsin

Anyone 16+ needs a Wisconsin DNR fishing licence — the resident annual is about $20, the non-resident annual about $65, and non-resident 1-day/4-day/15-day licences are sold. The resident and non-resident licences cover both inland trout streams and the Great Lakes; a separate Great Lakes salmon/trout stamp is NOT required (folded into the base licence for residents; a Great Lakes trout/salmon stamp applies only in a few specific circumstances non-residents should check). Wisconsin residents 65 and older can buy a low-cost licence; anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy from the DNR at GoWild.wi.gov. A Wisconsin fishing licence covers navigable rivers; Wisconsin's public-trust doctrine gives the right to wade and travel below the ordinary high-water mark on any navigable stream. The Mississippi is fished on a Wisconsin, Minnesota or Iowa licence in the border reaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public fishing venues are there in Wisconsin?+

PiscaMaps covers 5,056 public fishing venues across Wisconsin in 6 regions — 3,561 lakes and reservoirs and 1,466 rivers. The largest is Lake Michigan, at 1,776,000 acres. Wisconsin River is the longest mapped river, running 605 km. Northwoods has the most venues on file, with 2,612. 74 venues are documented trout waters.
Do I need a fishing licence in Wisconsin?+

Anyone 16+ needs a Wisconsin DNR fishing licence — the resident annual is about $20, the non-resident annual about $65, and non-resident 1-day/4-day/15-day licences are sold. The resident and non-resident licences cover both inland trout streams and the Great Lakes; a separate Great Lakes salmon/trout stamp is NOT required (folded into the base licence for residents; a Great Lakes trout/salmon stamp applies only in a few specific circumstances non-residents should check). Wisconsin residents 65 and older can buy a low-cost licence; anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy from the DNR at GoWild.wi.gov. A Wisconsin fishing licence covers navigable rivers; Wisconsin's public-trust doctrine gives the right to wade and travel below the ordinary high-water mark on any navigable stream. The Mississippi is fished on a Wisconsin, Minnesota or Iowa licence in the border reaches.
Are there boat ramps and camping near Wisconsin's fishing lakes?+

754 venues have a mapped boat ramp and 934 have nearby camping on PiscaMaps, sourced from OpenStreetMap and the federal RIDB database.