A look at rules changes for 2026 Wisconsin fishing season

Inside Swamp Donkey Bait and Tackle portable shop, Neil Sweney says he’s ready for May 2.

“Opening day is usually a pretty good day. It’s fun to get out. Start going to different lakes, and generally it’s fun,” said Neil Sweney, Swamp Donkey Bait and Tackle Employee.

Before hitting the water DNR Fisheries Management Bureau Director Justine Hasz says there are regulation changes. The musky season will open statewide on May 2.

“In the early 1980s, there was roughly around 66,000 muskies being harvested each year. That’s down into the hundreds. There’s been a very big change in how anglers view musky. How they fish for musky, the safe handling of musky when they’re caught. There’s a very large catch and release ethic with musky fishing,” said Justine Hasz, DNR Fisheries Management Bureau Director.

The statewide inland trout season opened early, on April 4. A catch-and-release campaign for lake sturgeon will occur on 18 select waters across the state — not including the Lake Winnebago System. There will be new panfish rules as well.

“We still have 25-panfish bag limits, but some of them may have a very specific species five bag limit. So for example, 25 panfish could be taken, but no more than five bluegill,” said Hasz.

Back the Fox River in De Pere, Neil Sweney expects good fishing will get even better.

“You got your big perch out in the bay. You got your big walleye out in the bay. You got your big muskies. The crappie come in. The white bass are in. So it’s great around here for fishermen. Fishing people I should say,” he said.

The inland sport fishing season begins after midnight on Saturday May 2, and runs through March 7, 2027.