Wisconsin Walleye and Ceded Territory Rules
Walleye and sauger limits across Wisconsin: the Ceded Territory three-walleye rule, the 15 to 20 inch window, the total daily bag of five and the special waters.
For weighing a catchPiscifun Lip gripper with digital scale27% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Hudson: Lorie Shaull, CC BY 2.0
How the Ceded Territory changes Wisconsin walleye limits
Inland lakes and rivers within the Ceded Territory have a daily bag limit of three walleye and most have a standard length regulation where walleye and sauger from 15" but less than 20" may be kept, except one fish may be over 24". Length and bag limit exceptions to the standard regulation can be found in the Special Regulations – Listed by County section beginning on page 30.
With the exception of Wisconsin-Michigan and Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters, all inland lakes wholly or partially within, and all river segments within the Ceded Territory have a daily bag limit of THREE walleye … The total statewide daily bag limit is five walleye. In the Ceded Territory, no more than three walleye may be taken from any individual water, but you can fish other waters to fill your statewide total daily bag limit of 5.
WDNR Ceded Territory page and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Every Wisconsin walleye and sauger row
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most waters in the Ceded Territory | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches but less than 20 inches may be kept; one may be over 24 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Most other inland waters | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters – in lakes | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters – in rivers and their flowages | 1; minimum length 15 inches | March 1, 2026 – May 1, 2026 |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters – in rivers and their flowages | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| St. Croix River upstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam | 6 in total; minimum length None for sauger; 15 inches for walleye | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| St. Croix River downstream from the St. Croix Falls Dam to Prescott | 4 in total; minimum length None for sauger; 15 inches for walleye; only one walleye or sauger over 20 inches may be kept | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| St. Louis River | 2 in total; minimum length None for sauger; 15 inches for walleye | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Mississippi River (Pools 3-8) | 4 in total; minimum length None for sauger; 15 inches for walleye; only one walleye or sauger over 20 inches may be kept | Open all year |
| Mississippi River (Pool 9) | 6 in total; minimum length None for sauger; 15 inches for walleye; walleye 20-27 inches must be released, only one over 27 inches | Open all year |
| Pools 9-12 | 6 in total; minimum length None for sauger, 15 inches for walleye; walleye 20-27 inches must be released, only one over 27 inches | Open all year |
| Major Green Bay tributaries and tributaries to Lake Michigan north of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc | 1; minimum length 15 inches | March 2, 2026 – May 1, 2026 |
| Major Green Bay tributaries and tributaries to Lake Michigan north of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam/lake | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan south of Waldo Blvd, Manitowoc | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | Open all year |
| Fox River from its mouth upstream to the dam at De Pere | 1 in total; minimum length 28 inches | March 2, 2026 – May 1, 2026 |
| Fox River from its mouth upstream to the dam at De Pere | 3 in total; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Fox River from its mouth upstream to the dam at De Pere | 1 in total; minimum length 28 inches | March 8, 2027 – April 30, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan waters north of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc | 1 in total; minimum length 15 inches | March 2, 2026 – May 1, 2026 |
| Lake Michigan waters north of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan waters north of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc | 1 in total; minimum length 15 inches | March 8, 2027 – April 30, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan waters south of Waldo Boulevard, Manitowoc | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches | Open all year |
| Lake Superior | 5 in total; minimum length 15 inches, only 1 over 20 inches | Open all year |
| Lake Superior tributaries and connected sloughs | 5 in total (Bayfield County), 3 in total (Douglas, Ashland and Iron counties); minimum length 15 inches, only 1 over 20 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | 3 in total; only 1 may be a sauger or hybrid; no minimum length | Open all year |
Wisconsin counties inside the Ceded Territory
The Ceded Territory encompasses 22,400 square miles of northern Wisconsin that was ceded to the United States by the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribes in 1837 and 1842.
- Ashland Countyceded territory county
- Barron Countyceded territory county
- Bayfield Countyceded territory county
- Burnett Countyceded territory county
- Chippewa Countyceded territory county
- Clark Countyceded territory county
- Douglas Countyceded territory county
- Dunn Countyceded territory county
- Eau Claire Countyceded territory county
- Florence Countyceded territory county
- Forest Countyceded territory county
- Iron Countyceded territory county
- Langlade Countyceded territory county
- Lincoln Countyceded territory county
- Marathon Countyceded territory county
- Marinette Countyceded territory county
- Oconto Countyceded territory county
- Oneida Countyceded territory county
- Polk Countyceded territory county
- Price Countyceded territory county
- Rusk Countyceded territory county
- Sawyer Countyceded territory county
- St. Croix Countyceded territory county
- Taylor Countyceded territory county
- Vilas Countyceded territory county
- Washburn Countyceded territory county
- Wood Countyceded territory county
Wisconsin waters, photographed
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions on Wisconsin’s Walleye and Ceded Territory rules
How many walleye can I keep in the Ceded Territory?
Three a day from any one water, with a statewide total daily bag of five across waters.
What is the ceded walleye length rule?
On most ceded waters walleye and sauger from 15 to under 20 inches may be kept, plus one over 24 inches.
Where is the Ceded Territory?
Roughly the northern third of Wisconsin; the guide map and county pages mark it.
Does the ceded rule apply on boundary waters?
No; Wisconsin-Michigan and Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters are excluded.
What is the walleye limit outside the Ceded Territory?
Three a day with a 15 inch minimum on most other inland waters.
When does Wisconsin walleye season open?
May 2, 2026 on inland waters, to March 7, 2027.
How many Wisconsin counties are in the Ceded Territory?
27 counties name it in their county text in the guide.
Do lake pages show their walleye rule?
Yes; each lake page prints the WDNR Lake Regulation app row for walleye.
More Wisconsin regulation pages
- Wisconsin Inland Waters Limitsstatewide rows, bass and pike zones, total daily bags
- Wisconsin Trout Rulesstamps, color categories and early season
- Wisconsin Great Lakes RulesLake Michigan, Green Bay and Lake Superior
- Wisconsin Boundary Waters RulesMichigan, Minnesota and Iowa border water
- Wisconsin Sturgeon Ruleshook and line tags and Winnebago spearing
- Wisconsin Ice Fishing and General Ruleshooks, lines, bait, shelters
- Wisconsin Special Regulations Waterscounty by county exceptions
- License prices and stampswho needs a license and what it costs