Fishing stamps and tags
Wis. Stat. § 29.2285
in effect(1) Inland waters trout stamps.
(a) Definition. In this subsection, “inland trout waters” means inland waters but this term excludes all of the following:
1. Any harbor on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.
2. Any river or stream tributary of Lake Michigan or Green Bay, except the Kewaunee River, from its mouth upstream to the first dam or lake.
3. Any other river or stream tributary of Lake Michigan or Green Bay that is designated by the department.
(b) Requirement. Except as provided in par. (d), no person may fish for trout in inland trout waters unless he or she is issued a conservation patron license, unless he or she is issued a 2-day inland lake trout fishing license, or unless he or she is issued an inland waters trout stamp which is attached to or imprinted on the person’s fishing license or sports license in the manner required by the rule promulgated under s. 29.024 (5) (a) 3.
(c) Issuance. The department shall issue an inland waters trout stamp subject to s. 29.024 to each person holding or applying for a fishing license, other than a two-day inland lake trout fishing license, or holding or applying for a sports license if the person intends to use the license for trout fishing in inland trout waters of the state.
(d) Exemption. Any person who is exempt from the requirement to have a fishing license or who is not required to pay a fee for a fishing license is exempt from the requirements under par. (b).
(e) Use of moneys from fees. The department shall expend the receipts from the sale under this subsection of inland waters trout stamps on improving and maintaining trout habitat in inland trout waters, conducting trout surveys in inland trout waters and administering this subsection.
(2) Great Lakes trout and salmon stamps.
(a) Definition. In this subsection, “outlying trout and salmon waters” means any outlying waters and this term includes all of the following:
1. Any river or stream tributary of Lake Michigan or Green Bay from its mouth upstream to the first dam or lake.
2. Any other river or stream tributary of Lake Michigan or Green Bay that is designated by the department.
(b) Requirement. No person may fish for trout or salmon in the outlying trout and salmon waters of the state unless the person is issued a resident or nonresident 2-day sports fishing license, unless the person is issued a conservation patron license or unless the person is issued a Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp which is attached to or imprinted on the person’s fishing license or sports license in the manner required by the rule promulgated under s. 29.024 (5) (a) 3.
(c) Issuance. The department shall issue a Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp subject to s. 29.024 to any person holding or applying for a fishing license or a sports license if the person intends to use the license for trout or salmon fishing in the outlying trout and salmon waters of the state.
(d) Exemptions. This subsection does not apply to a person who is exempt from the payment or requirement for a fishing license.
(e) Use of fees. The department shall expend the receipts from the sale of Great Lakes trout and salmon stamps to supplement and enhance the existing trout and salmon rearing and stocking program for outlying waters and to administer this subsection.
(3) Sturgeon hook and line tags.
(a) Requirement. No person may possess a lake sturgeon taken by hook and line from the waters of the state unless he or she is issued one or more sturgeon hook and line tags.
(b) Issuance. The department shall issue sturgeon hook and line tags to each person holding or applying for a fishing license or a sports license if the person intends to possess a lake sturgeon taken by hook and line in the waters of the state. Each sturgeon hook and line tag shall contain a unique number that is linked to the fishing license being issued.
(c) Tagging requirement. Any person having taken a lake sturgeon by means of a hook and line shall immediately validate the sturgeon hook and line tag issued to that person. No person may possess, control, store, or transport a lake sturgeon carcass unless a hook and line tag has been validated in the manner required by the department.
(d) License requirement. Any person fishing for lake sturgeon shall hold a license authorizing the fishing or shall be exempt from holding such a license under s. 29.219 (1) (b) 1. or 2. or (d) or 29.228 (1) (b) or (d).
(e) Use of moneys from fees. The department shall deposit the receipts from the sale of sturgeon hook and line tags issued under this subsection into the conservation fund and shall credit these receipts to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (1) (ky).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/29.2285Fetched: 10/7/2026