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Fishing licenses

Fishing Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, kids 15 and under fish without a license every day and anglers born before 1927. For everybody else, various license options can get you out on the water quickly and easily. Get your license to relax and enjoy what Wisconsin has to offer!

Getting your first license or just visiting? Discounted license options are available, including:

  • First-time Buyer License – for those who haven't fished Wisconsin before or want to return to fishing after at least ten years without a license. 
  • One-day fishing license – for anglers who want to try Wisconsin fishing for one day only.
  • Resident anglers who recruit someone new to purchase a first-time buyer license can earn points toward a reduced-price license of their choice.
  • Active-duty military on furlough or leave who are Wisconsin residents and veterans.

Resident And Nonresident Fishing Licenses

Unless otherwise noted, all licenses are available for purchase through Go Wild, sales locations or at one of our DNR Service Centers. A valid driver's license or social security number will be needed to purchase your license online through GoWild.

Get Started on GoWild today!

Resident General Fishing

Resident General Fishing

Type$
Fishing, Annual20.00
Fishing. First-time buyer.5.00
Fishing 1-Day (Can be used towards an upgrade to an annual license for $12.75)8.00
Fishing, Junior (16 & 17 years old)7.00
Fishing, Senior Citizen (65 years & older)7.00
Fishing, Spousal31.00
Inland Trout Stamp10.00
Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp10.00
2-Day Great Lakes Fishing (includes Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp)14.00
2-Day Inland Lake Trout Fishing (includes Inland Trout Stamp)14.00

Resident Sturgeon Fishing

Resident Sturgeon Fishing

Type$
Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago (deadline to purchase October 31)20.00
Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing 20.00
Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland20.00
Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan20.00
Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Application (Deadline August 1)3.00

Resident Miscellaneous Fishing

Resident Miscellaneous Fishing

These licenses are not available for online purchase. Please visit one of our sales locations.

Type$
Fishing, Disabled (more information)7.00
Fishing, Veteran/Disabled (more info)3.00
Fishing, Armed Forces - resident in active service on furlough or leave0.00

Nonresident Fishing Licenses

Nonresident Fishing Licenses

Type$
Fishing, Annual55.00
Fishing, Family Annual (primary) (includes children 16 & 17 years old) Note: Family licenses do not have grandchildren 16 & 17 years old70.00
Fishing, Family Annual (secondary)0.00
Fishing, First-time buyer28.75
Fishing, 1 day (can be used towards an upgrade to an annual license for $40.75)15.00
Fishing, 4 day29.00
Fishing, 15 day33.00
Fishing, 15-day Family (includes children 16 & 17 years old) Note: Family licenses do not have grandchildren 16 & 17 years old45.00
Military Fishing (not available for online purchase)20.00
Student fishing - available to full-time nonresident students in residence at any Wisconsin public or private college or university offering a degree (not available for online purchase)20.00
Inland Trout Stamp10.00
Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp10.00
Great Lake Fishing, 2 days (includes Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp)14.00

Nonresident Sturgeon Fishing

Nonresident Sturgeon Fishing

Type$
Sturgeon Spearing Lake Winnebago (deadline to purchase October 31)65.00
Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing 65.00
Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland50.00
Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin/Michigan50.00
Military Inland Sturgeon Hook & Line20.00
Military WI/MI Sturgeon Hook & Line20.00
Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Application (deadline August 1)3.00