Brown trout in Wisconsin
Seasons, records and abundance for brown trout.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
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Where brown trout fit in Wisconsin fishing
On the WDNR list, Brown trout (Salmo trutta) belongs to the Trouts (Salmonidae); the hook and line guide calls it game fish. Row one of the Wisconsin table (smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi): 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches; season Open all year.
WDNR stocking records for 2023 to 2025 list 2,747,739 fish in 495 rows.
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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 in total of which only 1 may be rainbow trout and 1 may be brook trout; minimum length Rainbow trout 26 inches; brook trout 20 inches; brown trout a | Open all year |
| Inland streams and rivers listed in the early season list (1 through 18), not spring ponds, ponds, lakes, Lake Michigan | 0 (all trout must be immediately released) | Jan. 3, 2026 – April 3, 2026; Jan. 2, 2027 – April 2, 2027 |
| 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.
Hatchery brown trout by water
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025.
Booked trips for brown trout
- 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
- Leprechaun Fishing Charters, LLCGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (612) 799-1453
- Angry Fin Charter FishingLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (262) 689-5294
- Blue Max ChartersLake Michigan charter, Milwaukee, (414) 828-1094
- C&D ChartersLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (414) 840-1429
- Chasin Tail CharterLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Two Rivers, (608) 554-8497
Other species near brown trout on the list
- CiscoTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake whitefishTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brook troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Rainbow troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- SplakeTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Coho salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Chinook salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Pink salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Atlantic salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Pictures of lakes and rivers around Brown trout
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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brown trout in Wisconsin, answered briefly
How many brown trout may I keep in Wisconsin?
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.
How big is the Wisconsin record brown trout?
The record list skips it.
Which lakes rate best for brown trout?
It does not appear on a water page.
Do Wisconsin hatcheries raise brown trout?
Yes; 2,747,739 fish in 495 rows from 2023 to 2025, the most in Lake Superior.
Is brown trout native to Wisconsin?
Salmo trutta, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
What season dates cover brown trout?
Open all year on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi.
Which Wisconsin license do I need for brown trout?
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.
Can I hire a Wisconsin guide for brown trout?
8 guides list it, among them Hitman Charters.
Pick a lake for brown trout
Open a listed lake for landings and seasons.