2026 regulation year
Wisconsin Walleye 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sander vitreus
Last updated
Walleye are Wisconsin's most-targeted game fish and the May opener is a state-wide ritual. Inland lakes carry a 15-inch minimum and 3-fish bag; the Mississippi River and Lake Winnebago systems run on their own rule sheets.
Season
Inland: 1st Sat in May – 1st Sun in March. Border waters and Great Lakes vary.
– Inland waters statewide
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 3 / day (most inland waters); some northern lakes 2 / day
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15 in minimum (most waters); per-lake slot limits override
- Slot
- Per-lake protected slots on listed Ceded Territory waters
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only on most public waters
- Spearing permitted only by tribal members under treaty rights in Ceded Territory
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Wisconsin waters:
Lake Winnebago
Separate season + 15 in minimum; sturgeon-water special booklet
Mississippi River
MN/WI boundary; combined bag 6 / day; 15 in min
Chippewa Flowage
Statewide 3 / day, 15 in min; Ceded Territory rules apply
Lake Pepin
Mississippi River pool; boundary water with MN
Green Bay (Lake Michigan)
Great Lakes booklet; 15 in min, 5 / 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.