Yellow bass in Wisconsin
Wisconsin rules and waters for yellow bass.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 2 lbs. 13.8 oz.record
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Wisconsin yellow bass basics
Wisconsin files Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis) with the Sticklebacks (Gasterosteidae), and the regulations treat it as game fish. Where the guide lists general inland waters, the keeper rule is None; no minimum length and the season is Open all year.
In 2025, Lake Mendota gave up the hook and line record, 2 lbs. 13.8 oz.
yellow bass rules in the WDNR guide
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Mississippi River (Pools 3-9) | 10 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 | 10 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 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.
The biggest Wisconsin yellow bass on file
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 2 lbs. 13.8 oz. | Lake Mendota | Dane | 2025 |
| alternate method | 0 lbs. 14.9 oz. | Lake Delton | Sauk | 2024 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Lakes and rivers with yellow bass
Lake pages listing yellow bass
- Lake Mendota9,781 acres
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Charters and guides for yellow bass
- Big Country ChartersGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Brussels, (720) 273-7527
- 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
- Pike Pole Fishing Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Edgerton, (608) 290-3929
- River Guide, AGreen Bay charter, Door County, Appleton, (920) 841-2118
- Tite Line FishingGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 495-7522
- Wacky Walleye Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-5731
- Weekend Warrior Guide ServiceGreen Bay charter, Green Bay, Marinette, (920) 362-1978
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- White bassSticklebacks (Gasterosteidae)
- White perchSticklebacks (Gasterosteidae)
Shoreline scenes a drive from Yellow bass
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Axhi12, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Wisconsin yellow bass: common questions
Can Wisconsin anglers keep yellow bass?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
What is the Wisconsin record yellow bass?
2 lbs. 13.8 oz. from Lake Mendota in 2025 (hook and line).
Where are yellow bass found in Wisconsin?
1 water here, starting with Lake Mendota.
How many yellow bass did the WDNR stock?
None recorded from 2023 to 2025.
Is yellow bass a game fish in Wisconsin?
Morone mississippiensis, Sticklebacks (Gasterosteidae); game fish.
Does Wisconsin close the yellow bass season?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Is a trout stamp required for yellow bass?
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.
Do Wisconsin guides fish for yellow bass?
8 guides list it, among them Big Country Charters.
Go after yellow bass this season
The lake pages above carry abundance, landings and limits.