Pink salmon in Wisconsin
Seasons, records and abundance for pink salmon.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
- 6 lbs. 1.9 oz.record
Pick for salmonPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not of a Wisconsin water: NOAA, Public domain
Where pink salmon fit in Wisconsin fishing
On the WDNR list, Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) 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.
The WDNR record list shows 6 lbs. 1.9 oz. from Lake Michigan, 1999, in the hook and line category.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Keeping pink salmon in Wisconsin
| 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.
Wisconsin pink salmon record entries
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 6 lbs. 1.9 oz. | Lake Michigan | Kewaunee | 1999 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Booked trips for pink 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
Other species near pink salmon on the list
- 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)
- Atlantic salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Pictures of lakes and rivers around Pink salmon
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Axhi12, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
pink salmon in Wisconsin, answered briefly
How many pink salmon 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 pink salmon?
6 lbs. 1.9 oz. from Lake Michigan in 1999 (hook and line).
Which lakes rate best for pink salmon?
It does not appear on a water page.
Do Wisconsin hatcheries raise pink salmon?
The WDNR summary lists none.
Is pink salmon native to Wisconsin?
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
What season dates cover pink salmon?
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 pink 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.
Can I hire a Wisconsin guide for pink salmon?
8 guides list it, among them Door County Charters.
Pick a lake for pink salmon
Open a listed lake for landings and seasons.