Wisconsin Fishing License Cost
Prices checked against official sources on
A Wisconsin resident fishing license costs $20 a year, $7 for residents 65 and older and $5 for first-time buyers. Nonresidents pay $55 a year or $15 for one day. Trout and Great Lakes salmon need a separate $10 stamp each. Kids 15 and under fish free.
Ready to buy? Licenses are sold by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Official license page ↗
Wisconsin fishing license prices
Prices as listed by the Wisconsin DNR.
Resident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual | $20.00 |
| Spousal (husband and wife) | $31.00 |
| Senior citizen (65+) | $7.00 |
| Junior (ages 16–17) | $7.00 |
| First-time buyer, annual | $5.00 |
| 1-day (can be upgraded to annual for $12.75) | $8.00 |
| 2-day inland lake trout fishing (includes inland trout stamp) | $14.00 |
| 2-day Great Lakes fishing (includes salmon/trout stamp) | $14.00 |
Nonresident licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual | $55.00 |
| Family annual (includes children 16–17) | $70.00 |
| First-time buyer, annual | $28.75 |
| 1-day (can be upgraded to annual for $40.75) | $15.00 |
| 4-day | $29.00 |
| 15-day | $33.00 |
| 15-day family (includes children 16–17) | $45.00 |
Stamps
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Inland trout stamp | $10.00 |
| Great Lakes salmon/trout stamp | $10.00 |
Resident combination and special licenses
| License | Price |
|---|---|
| Conservation Patron | $165.00 |
| Sports (fishing, small game, deer gun) | $60.00 |
| Disabled fishing (in person only) | $7.00 |
| Veteran / disabled (in person only) | $3.00 |
| Armed forces (in person only) | Free |
What common trips cost
Totals worked out from the official prices above.
| Situation | What to buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident who fishes inland trout and Great Lakes salmon | Annual $20 + 2 stamps × $10 | $40.00 |
| Resident couple | Spousal license | $31.00 |
| Nonresident weekend | 4-day license (cheaper than two 1-day licenses at $30) | $29.00 |
| Nonresident week on Lake Michigan | 15-day $33 + Great Lakes stamp $10 | $43.00 |
| Nonresident family with kids 16–17, full season | Family annual | $70.00 |
Who needs a fishing license in Wisconsin
- Residents and nonresidents 16 and older need a fishing license.
- Kids 15 and under can fish without a license every day of the year.
- Anglers born before 1927 are exempt.
- To fish for trout in inland waters, or for salmon and trout in the Great Lakes, you also need the matching $10 stamp.
When the license is valid
Wisconsin's fishing license year runs from April 1 to March 31. Licenses for the new year are required from April 1.
Free fishing days in Wisconsin
On Wisconsin's free fishing weekends, residents and nonresidents can fish most state waters without a license or trout and salmon stamps. Bag limits, size limits and trout rules still apply; in winter, some trout waters stay closed and open trout streams are catch-and-release with artificial lures only.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| January 17–18, 2026 | Winter Free Fishing Weekend |
| June 6–7, 2026 | Free Fun Weekend (fishing, state parks and trails) |
Dates for next year are added as soon as the agency announces them.
Where to buy
Online through Go Wild (gowild.wi.gov) with a driver's license or Social Security number, at licensed sales locations, or at DNR service centers. Military, disabled and student licenses must be bought in person.
How to pay less, and what to watch out for
The $5 first-time buyer license
Residents who qualify as first-time buyers pay $5 instead of $20, and nonresident first-time buyers pay $28.75 instead of $55. Check the DNR's first-time buyer rules to see if you qualify.
Stamps are where the price adds up
A resident who fishes inland trout and Lake Michigan salmon pays $20 + $10 + $10 = $40. For a quick trip, the 2-day licenses ($14) already include one stamp.
Short trips for nonresidents
The 15-day license ($33) costs only $4 more than the 4-day ($29), and the 15-day family license ($45) includes children aged 16 and 17.
Couples
The $31 spousal license covers both spouses, saving $9 over two $20 annual licenses.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Wisconsin fishing license?
$20 a year for residents, $7 for seniors 65 and older, and $55 for nonresidents.
Do kids need a fishing license in Wisconsin?
No. Kids 15 and under fish free.
When does a Wisconsin fishing license expire?
On March 31. The new license year starts April 1.
Do I need a trout stamp in Wisconsin?
Yes, to fish trout in inland waters ($10). The Great Lakes need a separate salmon/trout stamp ($10).
Sources
Every price and rule on this page comes from these official pages. If the agency changes a fee, its page wins over ours; tell us and we'll correct it.