Wisconsin Fishing By the Numbers
* 1.4 million licensed anglers
* 21 million annual fishing days
* No. 2 ranked fishing destination
* 88 million fish caught a year
* 31 million fish harvested
* 11 million fingerlings and yearlings stocked a year
* 70 different fish species, strains and sizes stocked
* $2.75 billion economic benefits
* $196 million state tax revenues
* 30,164 jobs
* 165 fish species
* 42,000 miles of year-round streams
* 10,266 miles of trout stream
* 4,037 miles of class 1 trout streams
Anglers throughout Wisconsin will seek out their favorite fishing haunts this Saturday, May 3, with the opening of the hook and line game fish season on inland waters. "No matter where you live in Wisconsin, there's great fishing to be had," says Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank.
Despite the heavy rains and flooding last summer, the Driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin should provide excellent trout fishing opportunities, according to DNR fish biologists. In some cases, they report, conditions actually improved. Lake conditions should also offer some fast action.
Trout anglers must check the regulations carefully to ensure compliance with any restrictions. In Green County, all trout waters are Category 3 (bag limit of three, minimum size of 9 inches). In Iowa County, however, there are 13 streams with special regulations while Lafayette County has four trout streams marked with special rules.
Despite the heavy rains and flooding last summer, the Driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin should provide excellent trout fishing opportunities, according to DNR fish biologists. In some cases, they report, conditions actually improved. Lake conditions should also offer some fast action.
Trout anglers must check the regulations carefully to ensure compliance with any restrictions. In Green County, all trout waters are Category 3 (bag limit of three, minimum size of 9 inches). In Iowa County, however, there are 13 streams with special regulations while Lafayette County has four trout streams marked with special rules.
