Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend

Wisconsin State Free Fishing Weekend!  January 18 & 19, 2025
Have you always wanted to try and ice fish?  This is the time to do it!  No license required.

WINTER ice forms on inland lakes soon after Thanksgiving Day. Anglers can take their pick of excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, or any of the three major panfish – perch, bluegill and crappie. Sometime after Christmas, Lake Superior freezes and anglers can fish for all the aforementioned fish as well as all species of trout. In late January, the ice usually extends into the Apostle Islands where diehard lake trout “bobbers” practice vertical jigging in water up to 250 feet deep for lake trout that regularly exceed 20 pounds. March starts the “late ice” period that has smelt entering the Bay in preparation for their spawning that occurs during ice-out. Big fish follow the smelt and all of the shallows can have great action.

For more information, call 715-682-2500, or visit www.dnr.wi.gov.

For the Ashland County Fishing Report click here.

Please exercise caution whenever you’re on the ice. Take a moment to review this ice safety brochure for helpful tips to ensure your safety while out on the ice.