Free Fishing Weekend
Free Fishing Weekend January 18-19, 2025
On Free Fishing Weekend, you can wet a line without a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp. What a great opportunity for family and friends to give it a try! Look below for details to plan your special fishing day for your club or community group.
Plan a Clinic
Angler Education instructors, clubs, state park staff and organizations are invited to host fishing clinics around the state. Complete and submit the planning form by Jan. 8, 2025, so we can help you get the word out. Please include a strong ice safety message in your clinic. We want you, your volunteers and your participants to all be safe in every respect. Thank you!
Need materials like fishing regulations and fish wildcards? Submit a request along with your planning form by Jan. 8, 2025.
As a reminder, on Free Fishing Weekend most waters of the state are open to fish without a license, for residents and non-residents. However, please consult the trout regulations or your local fisheries biologist for exceptions. While early-season catch-and-release trout streams are included this weekend, only artificial lures are allowed, and anglers must release the fish.
All other fishing regulations including bag limits, size limits and species restrictions remain in effect.
Attend A Clinic
Search for Fishing on our events calendar for clinic locations. We'll add them as we learn of them.
No Tackle? No Problem!
Wisconsin has nearly 60 tackle loaner sites, and 19 have ice fishing gear. Twelve of those are at our state parks. Office hours vary by site, so contact the loaner site when you make plans to pick up the gear.
Know Before You Go
- Locate launches and shore fishing access points near you. The piers at launches may be gone for the winter, but these areas still provide good access to get out on the ice.
- What you leave on the ice typically ends up in the water come spring, so pack out what you've packed in.
- Minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by taking your bait home with you or handing it over to another angler; never move live fish away from any waterbody.
- If you plan to keep your catch, be sure to consult the DNR's Safe Eating Guidelines to learn about potential consumption advisories.
Tried Fishing and Loved It? Get Your License Now.
New to fishing or haven't bought a fishing license in 10 years? Want to make it a healthy habit? Try our First-time buyer - Welcome back resident license for only $5. Buy yours today.
Mark Your Calendar
Free Fishing Weekends are always held the third full weekend in January and the first full weekend in June. Watch for clinic announcements in the months ahead.
Upcoming dates: Jan. 18-19, 2025 and June. 7-8, 2025.