Fishing in Wisconsin

	It takes an average of 100 hours of fishing to catch a 33.4-inch muskie.

Steelhead Fishing Primer

Steelhead are one of the most exciting of Wisconsin's game fish, and springtime means a rare opportunity to tie into one of these bruisers from shore.

Wisconsin's Open-Water Winter Trout

When the winter river angler packs safety first, then the proper gear, the expectation should be to catch fish. On the Milwaukee River that means steelhead, as well as walleye, smallmouth, pike and browns.
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Fall Means World-Class Musky, Salmon Action

Tangle with a trophy this fall! World-class Salmon and Musky action are available right now across the state. With little traffic on the water and fish fattening up for the winter, it's a great time to catch a monster.
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DNR 2009 Fishing Report

The 2009 Fishing Report is now available! Read on for an excerpt on state-record fish as well as a link to the full report.
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Hook 'Em Early!

Want to get your kids hooked on fishing? You'll find ample opportunities in Wisconsin. While the Badger State is famous for large, elusive game fish like the muskie, its wide variety of panfish and other easily catchable species make it perfect for beginning anglers.
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TRAVELOGUES

Racine Charter Fishing

Over the years, I've netted plenty of northern, walleye, and trout. I've caught bass that were largemouth, smallmouth, rock, and white. But while I've boated panfish the size of your palm and muskies as long as your leg, I've never landed a salmon before. When the opportunity to fish out of a Racine charter boat came up, I was thrilled.
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SOME OF OUR BEST

Five Great Trout Fishing Spots

Trout fishing in Wisconsin shares a bit of the mystique spawned by Richard Brautigan’s infamous novel Trout Fishing In America. The state's more than 10,000 miles of trout streams, creeks, and rivers are famous for cold, clean waters thick with trout and other fish caught on the fly.
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TOURS AND ITINERARIES

A Season of Outdoor Adventure

Are you the type that appreciates the subtle adventure of a winter’s day outdoors? Bundle up and let’s head out....
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DESTINATIONS

Bewitched by Bayfield

Far from urban cares and suburban sprawl, the tiny town of Bayfield is your winter gateway to Lake Superior and the magnificent Apostle Islands.
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Destination: Marinette County

The Marinette area offers visitors a unique, laid-back experience. Find out more about this hidden gem of a county tucked into the northeastern corner of the state.
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Opening Day Not Just a Baseball Tradition

On May 2, Governor Doyle will be the first of a million-plus fisherman to hit Wisconsin’s lakes this season as part of the 44th annual Governor’s Fishing Opener.
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COMING SOON

Vilas County Musky Marathon
5/23/2009 - 11/30/2009
Eagle River
NAIFC Championship
12/18/2009 - 12/20/2009
Rhinelander
Ice Fishing Rumble
1/2/2010 - 1/2/2010
Phillips

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GET A LICENSE

Buy your license from the DNR from the link below, or use their page navigation to search a complete listing of retail outlets to purchase a license in person.

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50 Places to Fish within 60 Minutes of Milwaukee

Who says there’s no place to fish in southeastern Wisconsin? Click below for a Wisconsin DNR link to fifty (count ‘em – 50) stream sites from Kenosha north to Sheboygan that fill each fall with salmon and trout. Got no boat? No problem. This is shore fishing at its best with 8 to 12-pound fish common, so bring your medium to heavy gear.

Get info on Fall Fishing Close to Home