Flathead catfish in Wisconsin
flathead catfish under Wisconsin rules.
- 10 in total; no minilimit
- 74 lbs. 5 oz.record
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An overview of Wisconsin flathead catfish
The Bullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae) include Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), which the Wisconsin guide counts as game fish. The guide sets 10 in total; no minimum length for general inland waters, open Open all year.
The Wisconsin hook and line record is 74 lbs. 5 oz., from Mississippi River in 2001.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| General inland waters | 0 | No open season – no fishing for paddlefish |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters | 10; no minimum length | Open all year |
| St. Louis River and St. Croix River upstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| St. Croix River downstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam to Prescott | 5 channel catfish, 2 flathead catfish; minimum length None, but only one channel and one flathead catfish over 24 inches may be kept | Open all year |
| Mississippi River (Pools 3-9) | 10 in total; minimum length None, but only one over 30 inches may be kept | Open all year |
| Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters (Mississippi River) | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan | 10; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Duck Creek, Suamico River and East River (defined reaches), Brown County | 25; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay in Brown County | 25; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay | 10; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | 25 in total, but only 24 if one flathead catfish is possessed; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Winnebago System waters | 1; minimum length 30 inches and flathead catfish from 36 inches to 42 inches may not be possessed | May 2, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Wisconsin record flathead catfish
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 74 lbs. 5 oz. | Mississippi River | Vernon | 2001 |
| live release | 51.5 in | St. Croix River | Polk | 2021 |
| alternate method | 55 lbs. 8 oz. | Black River | La Crosse | 2026 |
| alternate method | 53 lbs. 8 oz. | Mississippi River | La Crosse | 2023 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Waters to fish for flathead catfish
Rivers to try for flathead catfish
- Mississippi RiverCrawford
- Black River, Clark CountyClark
- St. Croix RiverBurnett
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Wisconsin trips for flathead catfish
- Fish Bones Guide Servicefishing guide, Wisconsin River, Mauston, (608) 547-2766
Fish in the same family as flathead catfish
- Channel catfishBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Black bullheadBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Brown bullheadBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
- Yellow bullheadBullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae)
What the shore looks like near Flathead catfish
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: NaturesFan1226, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Before you target flathead catfish, the answers
What minimum length applies to Wisconsin flathead catfish?
10 in total; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
How much did the Wisconsin record flathead catfish weigh?
74 lbs. 5 oz. from Mississippi River in 2001 (hook and line).
Which waters list flathead catfish?
3 waters here, starting with Mississippi River, Black River, Clark County and St. Croix River.
Is there stocking for flathead catfish?
The stocking summary has no rows for it.
Which family does flathead catfish belong to?
Pylodictis olivaris, Bullhead Catfishes (Ictaluridae); game fish.
Are flathead catfish open to fishing year round in Wisconsin?
Open all year on general inland waters.
How much is a Wisconsin license to fish flathead catfish?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Is there a charter for flathead catfish?
1 guide list it, among them Fish Bones Guide Service.