Wisconsin runs two separate trout stamps, and that is the thing to get right. The Inland Trout Stamp covers the streams; the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp covers Michigan and Superior. Fishing both means buying both. At twenty dollars the resident licence is cheap for the water on offer, and the first-time buyer rate of five dollars is a genuine way in for someone who has never held one.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Wisconsin fishing fee
The licence year runs 1 April to 31 March.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing, one day Can be upgraded to an annual. | Resident | 1 day | $8.00 |
| Fishing, one day Can be upgraded to an annual. | Visitor | 1 day | $15.00 |
| Two-day Great Lakes, stamp included | Resident | 2 days | $14.00 |
| Two-day inland trout, stamp included | Resident | 2 days | $14.00 |
| Two-day Great Lakes, stamp included | Visitor | 2 days | $14.00 |
| Fishing, four days | Visitor | 3 days | $29.00 |
| Fishing, fifteen days | Visitor | 14 days | $33.00 |
| Fishing, fifteen-day family | Visitor | 14 days | $45.00 |
| Fishing, resident on active service | Resident | Annual | Free |
| Fishing, disabled veteran | Resident | Annual | $3.00 |
| Fishing, first-time buyer | Resident | Annual | $5.00 |
| Fishing, junior, ages 16-17 | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Fishing, senior, 65 and over | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Fishing, disabled | Resident | Annual | $7.00 |
| Fishing, annual | Resident | Annual | $20.00 |
| Military fishing | Visitor | Annual | $20.00 |
| Student fishing, full-time non-resident student | Visitor | Annual | $20.00 |
| Fishing, first-time buyer | Visitor | Annual | $28.75 |
| Fishing, spousal | Resident | Annual | $31.00 |
| Fishing, annual | Visitor | Annual | $55.00 |
| Fishing, family annual Includes children aged 16 and 17. | Visitor | Annual | $70.00 |
Wisconsin runs two separate trout stamps: one for inland water and one for the Great Lakes. Fishing both means buying both.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Wisconsin extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Inland trout stamp | For trout in inland waters. | $10.00 |
| Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp | For salmon and trout in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. | $10.00 |
| Sturgeon spearing, Lake Winnebago | $65.00 for visitors. | $20.00 |
Who fishes free in Wisconsin
- Anglers under 16.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekends.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official WI DNR licensing page →
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 29 Wisconsin waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Lake Geneva — Walworth County
- Lake Winnebago — Winnebago County
- Wolf River — Eau Claire County
- Shawano Lake — Shawano County
- Delavan Lake — Walworth County
- Pewaukee Lake — Waukesha County
- Lake Mendota — Dane County
- Castle Rock Lake — Juneau County
- Chippewa Flowage — Sawyer County
- Sheboygan (Lake Michigan) — Sheboygan County
- Green Bay — Brown County
- Turtle-Flambeau Flowage — Iron County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Wisconsin?
$20.00 for a resident annual all waters licence and $55.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Wisconsin?
From age 16. Anglers under 16 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Wisconsin fishing licence online?
Yes. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Which Wisconsin trout stamp do I need?
The Inland Trout Stamp for inland streams and lakes, the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp for Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. They are separate purchases and neither covers the other.
What is the Wisconsin first-time buyer licence?
A five-dollar resident annual for anyone who has not held a Wisconsin fishing licence before. Visitors have an equivalent at $28.75.