Wisconsin Free Fishing Days (2026) — Ice Fishing & Summer Dates

WI 2026 free fishing weekends: January ice fishing and June summer. Dates, rules, and best spots.

Wisconsin offers two free fishing weekends per year, giving everyone a chance to try Wisconsin's legendary waters without purchasing a license.

2026 Wisconsin Free Fishing Days

DatesDurationType
January 17–18, 2026WeekendFree Ice Fishing Weekend
June 6–7, 2026WeekendFree Fishing Weekend (Summer)
2026 WI Free Fishing Weekends ❄️ Jan 17–18 Free Ice Fishing Weekend ☀️ Jun 6–7 Free Summer Fishing Weekend

What's Covered on Free Fishing Days

  • No fishing license or trout stamp needed
  • All bag limits, size limits, and species rules still apply
  • All public waterways open — 15,000+ lakes are yours to explore
  • Ice fishing equipment rules apply during winter free weekend
  • Both residents and visitors welcome

Wisconsin Free Ice Fishing Weekend (January)

Wisconsin is one of the only states that offers a free ice fishing weekend — perfect for the "ice fishing license Wisconsin" crowd. Popular destinations include:

  • Lake Winnebago: WI's largest inland lake — perch, walleye, white bass through the ice
  • Lake Mendota (Madison): Perch, northern pike, and panfish
  • Minocqua Chain: Northern WI classic — walleye, crappie, and bluegill
  • Green Bay: Massive whitefish and walleye ice fishing opportunity

Summer Free Weekend (June)

  • Door County: Smallmouth bass, Lake Michigan trout from shore
  • Devil's Lake: Panfish and bass in scenic Baraboo bluffers
  • Northwoods lakes: Musky, walleye, and panfish in pristine wilderness
  • Mississippi River: Channel catfish, sauger, and largemouth bass

Explore all WI fishing license options →