Wisconsin Fishing Penalties & Fines

Wisconsin is the second most popular fishing destination in the United States, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Fishing is a major business in Wisconsin, and there are over a million anglers catching millions of fish every year. Fishing is a regulated sport which requires a license. The number and species of fish that can be caught is also monitored. There are serious fines in Wisconsin for not following the state's fishing regulations. Wisconsin does not list the specific amount of the fines because it varies depending on the situation, but there is a detailed list of rules and regulations.

  1. Licenses

    • Fishing without a license in Wisconsin will get you a citation and a fine. The fine for fishing without a license is a minimum of $100. Wisconsin residents over the age of 16 must have a fishing license to fish, and the annual fee for a resident fishing license is $20. A non-resident fishing license costs $50. Anglers can also get a citation and fine for possessing another person's fishing license.

    Over Possession

    • Anglers in Wisconsin can get a fine for being over the bag limit. Wisconsin has a limit on the number of each fish you can catch and keep on a daily basis. If you are discovered with more than the allowed amount of fish, you will be fined and given a citation. According to an article in the La Crosse Tribune, two commercial fisherman from La Crosse were fined $15,000 each and had their fishing licenses revoked for three years. They were found with 308 walleye, and there is a bag limit of five walleye.

    Fishing Out of Season

    • Fishing season in Wisconsin starts the first Saturday in May. However, fishing dates are often specific to the species of fish and the body of water. You can get a fine and citation for fishing out of season, though the Wisconsin Department of National Resources does not state the specific amount of the fine. It is important to read Wisconsin's detailed list of which fish can be caught where during what time period on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.

    Illegal Fish

    • Catching and keeping a lake sturgeon fish requires a special inland water hook and line sturgeon harvest tag. The tag must be applied to the fish immediately after catching the fish. It is illegal to tether and keep a sturgeon without attaching the special tag issued by the state. It is also illegal to catch and bag any fish listed on the endangered or threatened species list. Possessing fish above the maximum length limit or below the minimum length limit in the specific area you are fishing is also illegal.