Orangespotted sunfish in Wisconsin
Where orangespotted sunfish swim in Wisconsin, and the rules.
- 25 in total; no minilimit
- 0 lbs. 0.48 oz.record
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Wisconsin orangespotted sunfish in brief
Orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) is a member of the Sunfishes (Centrarchidae), classed by the WDNR as game fish. Anglers on general inland waters follow 25 in total; no minimum length, with the season set at Open all year.
Top of the hook and line list: 0 lbs. 0.48 oz. out of Crawfish River in 2024.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Mississippi River (Pools 3-9) | 15 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| St. Louis and St. Croix river upstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| St. Croix River downstream of the St. Croix Falls Dam to Prescott | 15 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters (Mississippi River) | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan | 25 in total but only 5 may be yellow perch; no minimum length | Open all year, except yellow perch is closed May 1, 2026 – June 15, 2026 |
| Major Green Bay tributaries | 25 in total but only 15 may be yellow perch; no minimum length | Open all year, except yellow perch which is open May 20, 2026 – March 15, 2027 |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | 25 in total but only 15 may be yellow perch; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027, except yellow perch which is open May 20, 2026 – March 15, 2027 |
| Lake Michigan and Green Bay | 25 in total; includes yellow perch limit; no minimum length | Open all year for bluegill, sunfish and crappie |
| Lake Superior | 25; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Winnebago System waters | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
orangespotted sunfish on the state record list
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 0 lbs. 0.48 oz. | Crawfish River | Dodge | 2024 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Wisconsin pages that name orangespotted sunfish
Wisconsin rivers for orangespotted sunfish
- Crawfish RiverDodge
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Wisconsin cousins of orangespotted sunfish
- Largemouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Smallmouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Rock bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- BluegillSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- PumpkinseedSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Green sunfishSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- WarmouthSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Black crappieSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- White crappieSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
Water close to Orangespotted sunfish in photographs
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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Short answers on Wisconsin orangespotted sunfish
What is the Wisconsin bag limit for orangespotted sunfish?
25 in total; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
Which water holds the orangespotted sunfish record?
0 lbs. 0.48 oz. from Crawfish River in 2024 (hook and line).
Which Wisconsin water is a good bet for orangespotted sunfish?
1 water here, starting with Crawfish River.
Where were orangespotted sunfish stocked?
No 2023 to 2025 stocking row names it.
What else is orangespotted sunfish called?
Lepomis humilis, Sunfishes (Centrarchidae); game fish.
When is orangespotted sunfish season open in Wisconsin?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Do I need a stamp for orangespotted sunfish?
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.
Which guides target orangespotted sunfish?
Check the guides page; none name it.
Target orangespotted sunfish on Wisconsin water
Every listed water has its own Wisconsin page.