It’s April 1! This means that you need a 2022-2023 fishing license to fish in Wisconsin starting today
Northern pike will likely be in post-spawn mode and actively feeding. If you are looking for larger walleyes try using a shiner minnow. There is trophy potential if you are willing to work at it. On occasion walleyes will mouth the minnow and even a stinger hook won’t help. If this happens try a number two Aberdeen hook with a split shot and let the bait set on the bottom.
Brown trout are also in the shallow waters around the shores of Lake Michigan, and anglers can find lake trout around harbors and rocks. Not all Wisconsin waters follow the general dates for the hook and line or trout season. Every year “Free Fishing Weekend” (adobe acrobat/.pdf document) is the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June. Resident and nonresident anglers of all ages can fish without a fishing license as Wisconsin celebrates Free Fishing Weekend. Trout stamps are not needed during the two days, however, all other fishing regulations such as length and bag limits apply. During low water conditions walleyes will stack up in deep holes.
The end dates for fishing seasons vary among different fish species. Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes — more than anyone could fish in a lifetime — including world-class fishing destinations like Lake Saint Croix, Lake Winnebago and Lake Onalaska. With a current Wisconsin fishing license, you can catch countless fish species from the state’s lakes, but keeping fish out of season can result in a hefty fine. Familiarize yourself with the Wisconsin’s fishing seasons and regulations before you hit the water. Opening day for Wisconsin fishing is traditionally the first Saturday in May.
Even in March if the walleyes are biting you will find clusters of boats downstream from the Interstate Bridge. Fish as slow as possible and if you fail to get a strike slow down even more. Light 1/16-ounce jigs and fathead minnows should be your first choice if you are looking for action. Cast upstream and let the jig and minnow drop in the hole. Keep your line tight and watch for the slightest movement.
The best action will occur during the warmest part of the day. A rise in the water temperature of only one-degree can trigger a strike. I have had a number of days when I kept getting light bites until the sun is high. Most fishermen would have left before the walleyes started to bite. By the end of March the snow begins to melt and the river starts to rise.
On both natural lakes and flowages, crappie and bluegill put on the feed. These feeding periods are predictable and last for long periods of time. Not only can the action heat up but the temperatures as well.
Although nights are cold, days become progressively longer. By the middle of the month we may even see temperatures breaking 50 degrees. Along with fishing in comfort you can also encounter some of the largest panfish of the winter. With minimal precipitation and shorter vegetation along streams, anglers should be stealthy while fishing for trout. Brown trout and splake are abundant this year in Lake Superior and can commonly be found in the shallow waters of the Apostle Islands and Chequamegon Bay region in the spring.
Hook and line fishing for many species of fish on many Wisconsin waters begins the first Saturday in May. However, to better manage Wisconsin fisheries, season dates are often specific to the species of fish as well as the water body. A few important exceptions to the general Wisconsin fishing season apply to fish species.
Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.