Atlantic salmon in Wisconsin
Where Atlantic salmon swim in Wisconsin, and the rules.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
- 23 lbs. 15 oz.record
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Wisconsin Atlantic salmon in brief
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a member of the Trouts (Salmonidae), classed by the WDNR as game fish. Anglers on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi follow 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches, with the season set at Open all year.
Top of the hook and line list: 23 lbs. 15 oz. out of Lake Michigan in 1980.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Smoky Lake, Montreal River and Menominee River from its mouth upstream to the first dam | 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| Brule River upstream from Hwy 2 | 5 in total; minimum length Brook trout 8 inches; brown trout 12 inches | April 25, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Brule River downstream from Hwy 2 and other Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters | 5 in total; minimum length 7 inches | April 25, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | 5 (lake trout, other trout and salmon in total); minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| All other tributaries and ditches to Green Bay upstream to first dam or lake | 5 (lake trout, other trout and salmon in total); minimum length 10 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan | 5 in total with lake trout; minimum length 10 inches | Open all year |
| Lake Superior | 5; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Inland streams, springs and spring ponds | By county category: Green 5 trout of any length; Yellow 3 trout over 8 inches; Red varies by water; minimum length By category | April 4, 2026 (5 a.m.) – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Inland lakes and ponds | By county category; total daily bag 5 trout and salmon in total, only 2 may be lake trout; minimum length By category | May 2, 2026 (5 a.m.) – March 7, 2027 |
| Streams flowing into Lake Michigan and Green Bay from their mouths upstream to the first dam, lake or designated tributa | 5 trout and salmon in total; minimum length 10 inches | Year-round on Lake Michigan tributaries and listed Green Bay tributary sections; May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 on other Gr |
| Lake Superior streams not listed in the Specific Waters section (mouth upstream to the first impassable barrier) | 5 trout and salmon in total, only 2 of which may be brown trout over 15 inches and only 1 of which may be a rainbow trout; minimum length Brook trout | May 2, 2026 (5 a.m.) – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Atlantic salmon on the state record list
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 23 lbs. 15 oz. | Lake Michigan | Milwaukee | 1980 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Guides who list Atlantic salmon
- Door County ChartersGreen Bay charter, Door County, Baileys Harbor, (920) 559-2665
- Hitman ChartersGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 609-7788
- Hook Em & Cook EmGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 495-5912
- J-E Fishing EnterprisesGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-7877
- JJs Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 493-2953
- Leprechaun Fishing Charters, LLCGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (612) 799-1453
- Salmon Depot Charter FishingGreen Bay charter, Sturgeon Bay, (715) 340-8509
- Angry Fin Charter FishingLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (262) 689-5294
Wisconsin cousins of Atlantic salmon
- CiscoTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake whitefishTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brook troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brown troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Rainbow troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- SplakeTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Coho salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Chinook salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Pink salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Water close to Atlantic salmon in photographs
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Short answers on Wisconsin Atlantic salmon
What is the Wisconsin bag limit for Atlantic salmon?
5 in total; minimum length 10 inches on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
Which water holds the Atlantic salmon record?
23 lbs. 15 oz. from Lake Michigan in 1980 (hook and line).
Which Wisconsin water is a good bet for Atlantic salmon?
No water page names it.
Where were Atlantic salmon stocked?
No 2023 to 2025 stocking row names it.
What else is Atlantic salmon called?
Salmo salar, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
When is Atlantic salmon season open in Wisconsin?
Open all year on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi.
Do I need a stamp for Atlantic salmon?
Classified trout water calls for a Wisconsin fishing license ($20 resident, $55 nonresident a year) and the $10 inland trout stamp when you fish for trout.
Which guides target Atlantic salmon?
8 guides list it, among them Door County Charters.
Target Atlantic salmon on Wisconsin water
Every listed water has its own Wisconsin page.