FishKillFlea Fishing without a valid license in Wisconsin is a violation of state natural resources law. Penalties include fines, equipment seizure, and potential license revocation.
WI License Violations
| Violation | Citation | Fine Range |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing without a license | NR 20.05 | $200 – $500 + costs |
| Missing trout stamp | NR 20.05 | $150 – $300 + costs |
| Missing Great Lakes stamp | NR 20.05 | $150 – $300 + costs |
| Failure to display license | NR 20.05 | $100 – $200 |
Regulation Violations
| Violation | Fine Range | Additional |
|---|---|---|
| Over bag limit | $200 – $1,000 | Per fish, restitution possible |
| Undersized fish | $150 – $500 | Per fish under minimum size |
| Illegal methods | $300 – $2,000 | Equipment seizure |
| Fishing in closed season | $200 – $1,000 | Gear confiscation |
| Wanton waste of fish | $500 – $5,000 | Criminal charges possible |
| Fishing closed trout waters | $200 – $500 | Trout privilege revocation |
Additional Consequences
- Equipment seizure: DNR wardens may confiscate rods, reels, tackle, and catch
- License revocation: 1–5 years for serious or repeat violations
- Court surcharges: Mandatory wildlife damage assessment adds 75% to base fines
- Restitution: Court-ordered payment for the value of illegally taken fish (musky, sturgeon = high value)
Report Violations
Call the WI DNR's Violation Hotline at (800) 847-9367 (TIP-WDNR). Tips can be anonymous, and cash rewards are available through the Neighborhood Watch program.