2026 regulation year
Wisconsin Northern pike 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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Last updated
Northern pike are open year-round across most Wisconsin waters with a 5-fish bag and no statewide minimum size. The Lower Wisconsin and Mississippi systems hold the trophy growth potential; northern shield lakes lean toward numbers of mid-size fish.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round on most inland waters; some Northwoods lakes carry reduced bags.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day (most waters); 2 / day on listed Northwoods lakes with 32 in minimum
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- No statewide minimum; per-lake slot or minimum-size limits override
- Slot
- 32 in minimum on listed quality-pike waters (trophy programme)
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line, spear (ice), or bow-fishing legal in most waters
- Tip-up live-bait rigs popular through ice season
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Wisconsin waters:
Pelican Lake (Oneida Co.)
Quality-pike water: 32 in min, 2 / day
Lake Vermilion (Vilas Co.)
Statewide rule; classic Northwoods pike water
Mississippi River
Boundary water; combined bag with MN
Green Bay (Lake Michigan)
Great Lakes booklet: 32 in min, 2 / day
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.