Chinook salmon in Wisconsin
Wisconsin rules and waters for Chinook salmon.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
- 44 lbs. 15 oz.record
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Wisconsin Chinook salmon basics
Wisconsin files Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with the Trouts (Salmonidae), and the regulations treat it as game fish. Where the guide lists smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi, the keeper rule is 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches and the season is Open all year.
In 1994, Lake Michigan gave up the hook and line record, 44 lbs. 15 oz.
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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.
The biggest Wisconsin Chinook salmon on file
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 44 lbs. 15 oz. | Lake Michigan | Door | 1994 |
| live release | 42 in | Sheboygan River | Sheboygan | 2020 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Lakes and rivers with Chinook salmon
Rivers listing Chinook salmon
- Sheboygan RiverSheboygan
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Charters and guides for Chinook 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
Family members of Chinook salmon
- CiscoTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake whitefishTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brook troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brown troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Rainbow troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- SplakeTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Coho salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Pink salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Atlantic salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Shoreline scenes a drive from Chinook salmon
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Wisconsin Chinook salmon: common questions
Can Wisconsin anglers keep Chinook 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.
What is the Wisconsin record Chinook salmon?
44 lbs. 15 oz. from Lake Michigan in 1994 (hook and line).
Where are Chinook salmon found in Wisconsin?
1 water here, starting with Sheboygan River.
How many Chinook salmon did the WDNR stock?
None recorded from 2023 to 2025.
Is Chinook salmon a game fish in Wisconsin?
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
Does Wisconsin close the Chinook salmon season?
Open all year on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi.
Is a trout stamp required for Chinook 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.
Do Wisconsin guides fish for Chinook salmon?
8 guides list it, among them Door County Charters.
Go after Chinook salmon this season
The lake pages above carry abundance, landings and limits.