Rainbow smelt in Wisconsin
Keeping, finding and recording rainbow smelt.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 0 lbs. 5.5 oz.record
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Wisconsin rainbow smelt: rules, records and range
Classed as rough fish, Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) is one of the Smelts (Osmeridae) on the WDNR fish list. For general inland waters, the WDNR row reads None; no minimum length, season Open all year.
Green Bay produced the hook and line record of 0 lbs. 5.5 oz. in 2022.
Wisconsin regulation rows naming rainbow smelt
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Record rainbow smelt on the WDNR list
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 0 lbs. 5.5 oz. | Green Bay | Door | 2022 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Relatives of rainbow smelt in Wisconsin
- WalleyePerches (Percidae)
- SaugerPerches (Percidae)
- SaugeyePerches (Percidae)
- Yellow perchPerches (Percidae)
- Northern pikePikes (Esocidae)
- MuskellungePikes (Esocidae)
- Tiger muskellungePikes (Esocidae)
- Grass pickerelPikes (Esocidae)
- Largemouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Smallmouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Rock bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- BluegillSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Questions anglers bring up about rainbow smelt
Which Wisconsin rule covers keeping rainbow smelt?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
When was the Wisconsin rainbow smelt record set?
0 lbs. 5.5 oz. from Green Bay in 2022 (hook and line).
Where do rainbow smelt live in Wisconsin?
None of the water pages list it.
Does the WDNR stock rainbow smelt?
Not in the 2023 to 2025 summary.
What Latin name does the WDNR give rainbow smelt?
Osmerus mordax, Smelts (Osmeridae); rough fish, listed as nonnative.
Is Wisconsin rainbow smelt season open right now?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Which license covers rainbow smelt?
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.
Who guides for rainbow smelt?
No listed guide names it; the guides page has every operator.
Set out for rainbow smelt
Each lake listed above opens its own page with landings and the WDNR rule table.