2026 regulation year
Wisconsin Muskellunge 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Esox masquinongy
Last updated
Wisconsin is the musky capital of North America — more named musky lakes than any other state and the historic Hayward / Vilas / Oneida county trophy belt. A statewide 40-inch minimum protects breeders; listed trophy waters bump that to 50 inches.
Season
Northern zone: last Sat in May – Dec 31. Southern zone: 1st Sat in May – Dec 31.
– Northern zone
– Southern zone
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 1 / day
- Possession
- 1 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 40 in statewide minimum (50 in on listed trophy waters)
- Trophy rule
- 50 in minimum on Chippewa Flowage, Lac Court Oreilles, and other listed trophy waters
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only — no spearing of muskellunge
- Live release encouraged; oversize cradle / net recommended
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Wisconsin waters:
Chippewa Flowage
50 in minimum (trophy designation); record-class fishery
Lac Court Oreilles
50 in minimum; spring-fed deep musky water
Lake Vermilion (Vilas Co.)
Statewide 40 in; classic Hayward-area opener
Pelican Lake (Oneida Co.)
Statewide 40 in; pressured trophy fishery
Green Bay (Lake Michigan)
Great Lakes booklet: 54 in minimum, separate season
Official source
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Wisconsinfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.