(DNR) – The 2026-2027 inland trout harvest season will open a month earlier than prior years.
This year, the season will open on April 4 and run through Oct. 15, 2026, increasing harvest opportunities throughout the state’s inland streams, springs and spring ponds.
Trout populations are strong across Wisconsin and this additional month of harvest will provide more fishing opportunities at a time of the year when other fishing seasons are generally closed. This season change was also strongly supported by the public during the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress 2025 Spring Hearings.
If you want to wet a line for trout this season, you’ll need a 2026-2027 general fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are both valid until March 31, 2027. Get yours today through Go Wild or at one of many in-person license sales locations.
Consult the Guide to Wisconsin’s 2026-2027 Trout Fishing Regulations for changes to the trout daily bag and length limits before hitting the water. Notable changes include additional harvest opportunities on waters where trout populations are abundant and harvest is encouraged to meet management goals.
The earlier open harvest season for trout does not apply to inland lakes and ponds. For those waters, the traditional first Saturday in May opener still applies (May 2, this year). No changes have been made to the trout season dates or bag limits on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Green Bay or Green Bay tributaries.
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