Trap_Content Page_Regs_Land Type-Specific Regulations

Land Type-Specific Regulations

Trapping Regulations

Trapping Along Roadsides

Most roadsides are owned either by the state or by the local unit of government. However, in some cases, the adjoining landowner still maintains ownership of the underlying land. Trappers must have permission from the owner of the land underlying any public road, street or highway right-of-way area before trapping the location. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has a policy that trapping is not allowed on DOT-owned roads. Some DOT retention ponds may be open to trapping. Contact DOT for details.

Trapping Navigable Waterways

Trapping on private land in Wisconsin, including on the beds of navigable waters, may constitute a trespass (enforced by the county sheriff’s department). Trappers need to obtain permission before trapping on any private land, even if entry is by public waterways and the trap is placed or staked in the water.

Trapping On DNR-Owned And -Managed Lands

No person may destroy, molest, deface, remove or attempt to remove any natural growth or natural or archaeological feature except that edible fruits, edible nuts, wild mushrooms, wild asparagus and watercress may be removed by hand without a permit only for the purpose of personal consumption by the collector.

Generally, it is not permissible to cut willow stems. However, you may cut willow stems with a diameter of 2 ½ inches or smaller from species that are not endangered or threatened if you intend to use them for personal, noncommercial use, such as for trap stakes.

Trapping On Managed Forest Law And Forest Crop Law Lands

With permission of the landowner/property manager, trapping is allowed on lands enrolled under the Forest Crop Law program and lands designated as “open” under the Managed Forest Law program.

Trapping In State Parks

Trapping is allowed in all Wisconsin State Park System properties except: Copper Culture, Cross Plains, Governor Nelson, Heritage Hill, Lakeshore and Lost Dauphin state parks, Hank Aaron State Trail, Fischer Creek State Recreation Area, Havenwoods State Forest and Lapham Peak and Pike Lake units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. A state park sticker or pass is required for all vehicles in any state park. Trappers may enter a state park or state trail property up to one hour prior to sunrise and remain on the property until 11 p.m.

Trapping in state parks is only allowed for species when their season is open and only during either of the following time periods: Nov. 15 – Dec. 15, 2026 and April 1 – May 5, 2027.

You may not:

  • Use traps that are not placed completely under water unless the traps are enclosed trigger trap
  • Place or check traps past 11 p.m., remain on the property past 11 p.m. or enter the property prior to an hour before sunrise for the purpose of trapping
    • Note: Trappers who are registered campers staying in a designated campsite are not required to leave the campgrounds but may not use other areas of the park after 11 p.m.
  • Set, place or check traps located within 100 yards of designated trails or designated use areas, such as picnic areas, campgrounds and beaches, or in any area in the park closed to trapping indicated on that park’s trapping area map.
  • Trap during the closed season for any species

For more information on regulations specific to state parks and maps of areas open to trapping within individual parks, visit the DNR's Hunting and Trapping In Wisconsin State Parks webpage. 

Trapping On Federal Lands

  • Horicon National Wildlife Refuge and Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area: Trapping at these locations is authorized on a permit system only and special regulations apply. Permit details are available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Horicon National Wildlife Refuge webpage. 
  • Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge: Special trapping permits are required. For more information, contact: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Headquarters, 51 E. 4th Street, Winona, MN 55987.
  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: Access permits are required for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. For information, write Park Superintendent, 415 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, WI 54814.
  • Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge: Trapping is authorized on a permit system only and special regulations apply. For more information, call 608-539-2311 ext. 16, visit the FWS' Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge webpage or write Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau, WI 54661.
  • Necedah National Wildlife Refuge: Trapping is authorized on a permit system only and special regulations apply. For more information, call 608-565-2551 or write Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, N11385 Headquarters Road, Necedah, WI 54660.
  • St. Croix National Scenic Riverway: Trapping is restricted in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. For more information, visit the  U.S. National Park Service's Trapping At St. Croix National Scenic Riverway webpage. The National Park Service has specific regulations on these sites to inform the public of special federal regulations already in place.
  • Fort McCoy: Fort McCoy conducts its own trapping seasons, independent of the DNR’s seasons. Anyone interested in trapping on Fort McCoy must have the appropriate Fort McCoy permit/harvest authorization and applicable state of Wisconsin trapping approvals. To purchase Fort McCoy approvals, register game harvested on Fort McCoy or for season dates and regulation information, visit the Fort McCoy Natural Resources iSportsman System.