New Opening Day This Year For Inland Trout Season In Wisconsin

With over 13,000 miles of streams, including roughly 5,365 miles of high-quality Class 1 trout streams, Wisconsin is an exceptional destination for trout fishing.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notes that Wisconsin offers excellent opportunities for brook, brown, and rainbow trout, particularly in the spring-fed creeks of the Driftless Area and the northern Lake Superior drainage.

The DNR also reminds anglers of exciting news regarding the 2026-2027 inland trout season.

New Opening Day For Inland Trout Harvest Season In Wisconsin

The DNR reminds anglers that the 2026-2027 inland trout season will open on Saturday, April 4, and run through Thursday, October 15, increasing harvest opportunities throughout the state’s inland streams, springs, and spring ponds.

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This year’s opening date means that the trout harvest season will open a month earlier than in prior seasons. Trout populations are strong across most Wisconsin waters, and the additional month of harvest will provide anglers with more fishing opportunities during a time of the year when other fishing seasons are generally closed.

The DNR says the season change was strongly supported by the public during the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress 2025 Spring Hearings.

Anyone wishing to participate in this season will need a 2026-2027 general fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are both valid until March 31, 2027, and can be purchased through Go Wild or at one of many in-person license sales locations.

The earlier open harvest season for trout does not apply to inland lakes and ponds, which will open on the first Saturday in May. In 2026, this season opens on Saturday, May 2.

Changes In Inland Trout Limits

The DNR reminds anglers that there have also been changes to the trout daily bag and length limits this year, providing additional harvest opportunity on waters where trout populations are abundant and additional harvest is encouraged.

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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The Guide to Wisconsin’s 2026-2027 Trout Fishing Regulations is a great resource for anglers to get the specifics on limits and more.

Anglers are also reminded to be mindful of aquatic invasive species. To prevent the spread, anglers are encouraged to disinfect their gear and follow these guidelines:

• Inspect your waders, boots, watercraft, and equipment.
• Remove any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading , and before transporting on a public highway).
• Drain all water from boats, motors, waders, and other equipment.
• Never move live fish away from a waterbody.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
• Buy minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. It’s important to note that anglers may take leftover minnows away from any state water and use them again on that same water, and leftover minnows may be used on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to their container.