Rainbow trout in Wisconsin
Where rainbow trout swim in Wisconsin, and the rules.
- 5 in total; minimum limit
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Wisconsin rainbow trout in brief
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a member of the Trouts (Salmonidae), classed by the WDNR as game fish. Anglers on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi follow 5 in total; minimum length 10 inches, with the season set at Open all year.
Between 2023 and 2025 the WDNR stocked 2,276,408 of them across 819 records.
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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 in total of which only 1 may be rainbow trout and 1 may be brook trout; minimum length Rainbow trout 26 inches; brook trout 20 inches; brown trout a | Open all year |
| Inland streams and rivers listed in the early season list (1 through 18), not spring ponds, ponds, lakes, Lake Michigan | 0 (all trout must be immediately released) | Jan. 3, 2026 – April 3, 2026; Jan. 2, 2027 – April 2, 2027 |
| 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.
Recent rainbow trout stockings in Wisconsin
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025.
Guides who list rainbow trout
- 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
- Leprechaun Fishing Charters, LLCGreen Bay charter, Door County, Sturgeon Bay, (612) 799-1453
- Angry Fin Charter FishingLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (262) 689-5294
- Blue Max ChartersLake Michigan charter, Milwaukee, (414) 828-1094
- C&D ChartersLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Port Washington, (414) 840-1429
- Chasin Tail CharterLake Michigan charter, Lake Michigan, Two Rivers, (608) 554-8497
Wisconsin cousins of rainbow trout
- CiscoTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake whitefishTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brook troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Brown troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Lake troutTrouts (Salmonidae)
- SplakeTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Coho salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Chinook salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Pink salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
- Atlantic salmonTrouts (Salmonidae)
Water close to Rainbow trout in photographs
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: NaturesFan1226, CC BY 3.0
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Short answers on Wisconsin rainbow trout
What is the Wisconsin bag limit for rainbow trout?
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.
Which water holds the rainbow trout record?
No WDNR record exists for it.
Which Wisconsin water is a good bet for rainbow trout?
No water page names it.
Where were rainbow trout stocked?
Yes; 2,276,408 fish in 819 rows from 2023 to 2025, the most in Root River.
What else is rainbow trout called?
Oncorhynchus mykiss, Trouts (Salmonidae); game fish, listed as nonnative.
When is rainbow trout season open in Wisconsin?
Open all year on smoky lake, montreal river and menominee river from its mouth upstream to the fi.
Do I need a stamp for rainbow trout?
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.
Which guides target rainbow trout?
8 guides list it, among them Hitman Charters.
Target rainbow trout on Wisconsin water
Every listed water has its own Wisconsin page.