DNR Announces Commencement of Early Catch-And-Release Trout Season

On Saturday, January 6, Wisconsin’s early catch and release trout season will open on waterways throughout the state. The season will run from 5:00 am on January 6 to midnight on May 4. Many of Wisconsin’s counties will have at least one open stream, while Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewanee, Manitowoc, Menominee, Outagamie and Winnebago counties will be closed.

Anglers who participate in the early catch and release season will need to have an inland trout stamp and a valid Wisconsin fishing license (the 2017-18 fishing license and stamp are valid through March 31). Artificial lures and flies are also required. All fish must be released immediately after they are caught.  

To help navigate the more than 13,000 miles of open Wisconsin trout streams, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released a series of interactive online maps with pertinent information for potential participants.

As always, the DNR advises all anglers to take the necessary safety precautions, such as taking heed of local conditions, fishing with another person, and carrying a cell phone at all times. For more information on the early trout season, please visit the following DNR webpage.