Fishing in Wisconsin

Salmon, trout, and walleye draw many boaters to Lake Michigan.

Few states have the diversity of freshwater habitat that exists in Wisconsin. From the cold depths of Lakes Superior and Michigan to the 231 miles of the Mississippi River to the 15,057 lakes and ponds and 9,560 miles of trout streams, almost every popular species of North American freshwater fish can find a suitable place to thrive. Anglers migrate to Wisconsin like salmon up a river to pursue their sport, and for many years the Badger State has led all other states in the sale of nonresident freshwater fishing licenses and stamps.

Wisconsin straddles the subcontinental divide between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River drainage basins. Water from the northward-flowing trout streams that enter Lake Superior eventually joins the flow from eastern Wisconsin rivers that drain into Lake Michigan, and exits the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. The remaining two-thirds of Wisconsin drains south and west into the Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico. These two great systems each have their own complement of fish species, which contribute to the great variety on the Wisconsin sportfishing menu.

Panfish, which include bluegills, crappie, yellow perch, and white bass, are the most widespread of the angler’s quarry, and their tasty fillets make them a perennial favorite. They are found in thousands of lakes and streams and provide both open-water and winter sport.

But it is the large predator fish who live at the top of the aquatic food chain that provide the real excitement. The “big five” in Wisconsin—walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass—steal the spotlight in the cool inland waters.

Walleye have always been extremely popular and inhabit almost all of Wisconsin’s 1,107 larger lakes and rivers. Good walleye fishing is available all across the state, led by huge Lake Winnebago, the premier water for this species and home to more than a million adult walleye.

Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike also enjoy a statewide distribution. They thrive in marshy Mississippi River backwaters that are reminiscent of Southern bayous, as well as in crystal-clear lakes of the northern forests that look like the Canadian wilderness.

The muskellunge, however, is the official state fish of Wisconsin. This species is unique to North America, and northern Wisconsin lies in the heart of its original range. For well over 100 years, anglers have pursued these fish, and they have always been viewed as trophies. Wisconsin began propagating and stocking muskellunge fry in 1900, and through stocking has expanded this species’ range to more than 700 waters. Nowhere do anglers catch more muskellunge than in Wisconsin.

The inland trout enthusiast has the choice of fishing in 2,674 streams. Brook trout and brown trout are the most common species, and a handful of streams contain rainbow trout. The bulk of these fish are naturally reproducing, and most of the better rivers require no stocking to maintain excellent populations. A few small lakes that are tucked away in the Chequamegon and Nicolet National Forests are stocked annually with trout and offer good fishing.

Wisconsin was one of the first states to protect its most pristine trout streams through the creation of a state wild rivers acquisition program that began in 1965. Almost 50 miles on the Pine, Popple, and Pike Rivers in northeastern Wisconsin have been protected from development and will remain free flowing forever. More than 12,000 acres of adjoining lands are open to the public for fishing and other outdoor recreation.

Across the state, at the western boundary, lies the St. Croix National Scenic Waterway. This wilderness gem was one of the original eight rivers established under the 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The St. Croix flows 25 miles through Wisconsin before it becomes the border river between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The beautiful Namekagon River, which lies completely within Wisconsin, is a part of this system and provides excellent trout fishing. Both rivers have good canoe access sites and offer primitive camping opportunities.

For really large trout and salmon, anglers head to Lakes Superior and Michigan. Lake Superior’s waters are best suited for native lake trout, which have rebounded from sea lamprey depredation and overfishing. On Lake Michigan, introduced chinook salmon steal the show, but all the trout species grow to mind-boggling sizes in this forage-rich environment. Summer fishing derbies at Lake Michigan ports like Racine, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, and Marinette attract crowds of onlookers who come to view the trophies as they are registered. It is not uncommon for the winning fish of each species of brown trout, steelhead, and lake trout to all exceed 15 or 20 pounds in a weekend contest. The chinook salmon winners almost always exceed 25 pounds each. Numerous charter boats operate out of these ports, offering a safe and effective way for visiting anglers to sample the fishing on this inland sea.

Although Wisconsin is a relatively small state of 54,000 square miles, it offers great fishing opportunities, and fishing is an important part of its culture. Twenty-five percent of Wisconsin’s adult citizens go fishing. They are joined each year by half a million nonresident anglers. The variety of fish available and the excellent access to its lakes and streams fuel Wisconsin’s popularity as a fishing destination.