Harvesting Turtles
Spearing, Netting and Bait Harvest Regulations
All residents and nonresidents who collect, attempt to collect or possess native Wisconsin turtles must possess a valid approval that authorizes the hunting of small game or fishing, unless otherwise exempted from the need for either of these types of licenses because of age. Some species are protected and may not be harvested. Residents under the age of 16 do not need a license but must comply with seasons, size and possession limits.
These regulations apply to native Wisconsin turtle species, regardless of their origin.
The open turtle season runs from July 15 through Nov. 30.
Turtles or turtle eggs may not be taken during the closed season. Ornate Box, Wood and Blanding’s turtles may not be taken or possessed without an Endangered Species permit.
Persons may collect or possess up to five individuals of each species with the following exceptions:
- The possession limit for snapping turtles and softshell turtles is three each statewide.
- The one exception is the Mississippi River, where the possession limit is 10 for snapping turtles and five for softshell turtles.
- The possession limit is not more than five total for all other species combined.
Possession limits for turtles
| Species | WI/MN and WI/IA Boundary Waters | Inland Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Snapping turtle | 10 | 3 |
| Softshell turtle | 5 | 3 |
| Other turtles | 5 in total | 5 in total |
Licensed bait dealers and registered fish farmers may possess more than five specimens of any unprotected amphibian species which are collected or possessed as part of a bait collection or shipment.
It is illegal to sell native amphibians and reptiles, except persons with a Class A Captive Wild Animal Farm license may sell:
• Eastern tiger salamanders, mudpuppies and northern leopard frogs collected in state may be sold.
• Native amphibians and reptiles collected outside the state may be sold out of state, or to education and research institutions in state.
Legally harvested dead turtles and their parts may be sold during the open season only. A license is not needed to sell dead turtle parts during the open season.
Size Limits
Snapping turtle size limits are a 12-inch minimum and a 16-inch maximum carapace (top shell straight front to back) length. There are no size limits for other turtles.
- Turtles may be taken by hand, dip net, hook and line, set line, set or bank poles, hooking or hoop net trap (see allowed design below). No other trap types are allowed.
- Set or bankpoles and setlines used for turtle harvest must be licensed, tagged and used in compliance with rules on the use of these lines for fishing. See the Guide to Wisconsin Setline, Set and Bank Pole Regulations, 2026-2027 for details.
- Turtles may not be taken by hook and line from trout streams during the closed trout season.
- The number of hoop traps that can be operated are 10 in Iowa-Wisconsin or Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters and three in all other waters of the state.
Hoop net trap specifications: Traps must be made of stretchable fabric (e.g., nylon) and must have a minimum mesh stretch of 6 inches. No wire mesh is allowed. Each trap must have a metal tag showing the name and address or DNR Customer ID number of the operator attached and must be visible above the water’s surface. The operator identified on the trap tag is the only person authorized to tend these traps. Traps must be set with the hoops exposed a minimum of 2 inches above the water’s surface. Turtle traps must be checked and the entrapped contents removed at least once each day after the day they are set in all waters.