Native fish in aquarium

You may purchase game fish from an aquarium shop or fish farm and keep the receipt as proof that the fish were purchased (not collected from the wild). This would allow you to keep sub-legal fish in your aquarium, and the number of fish held could be greater than your possession limit. You can choose from a list of Wisconsin fish farms [exit DNR] by the species they produce, their location and other fields. This directory lists the names, addresses and phone numbers for more than 150 Wisconsin's fish farms and the type of fish they rear.

School groups that wish to collect fish from the wild and hold them for educational purposes should obtain a scientific collector's permit from a DNR regional fisheries expert. Alternatively, fish may be collected as in number 1 and 2 above, if the educational aspects of holding the fish are not the key reason for maintaining the aquarium.

For more information on the open seasons for Wisconsin game fish, please see the current fishing and related regulations.

Frequently asked questions

For additional information on Wisconsin fishing (e.g., maps, fish consumption advisories), please see our list of frequently asked questions.