Plan a winter free fishing weekend clinic, Jan. 18-19

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites clubs and organizations to host free fishing clinics on Winter Free Fishing Weekend, Jan. 18-19, 2025.

On Free Fishing Weekend, residents and nonresidents can fish most waters of the state without a fishing license or a stamp for trout or salmon (see exceptions regarding trout waters below).

Please submit the event registration and materials request forms by Jan. 8. The clinic will be promoted, and educational materials will be sent. Anglers ages 15 and under may fish without a license any day of the year. Therefore, organizers are encouraged to also welcome adults new to ice fishing.

No ice is safe ice. A strong ice safety message is recommended to be stressed at every clinic. The DNR does not monitor ice conditions, but local bait shops and fishing clubs may have current information. Download the brochure Know Before You Go for facts about ice and tips to prepare for a safe outing on the ice. If the lake chosen for the clinic doesn’t freeze over, anglers can cast from shore into open water.

Clinic plans should include anglers with limited mobility. Many state properties and community partners have accommodations or equipment to make the outdoors accessible for all. Learn about the available accommodations at state-managed properties on the DNR’s Accessible Recreation webpage and other options from partner organizations.

Clinic hosts are advised to consult the trout regulations when planning clinics and outings. While catch-and-release trout streams are included this weekend, only artificial lures are allowed, and anglers must release all trout caught. The following bodies of water remain off-limits for fishing:

• Spring ponds and lakes (page two in the trout regulations has a list of these waterbodies).

• Lake Michigan tributaries and major Green Bay tributaries.

• All other Green Bay tributary streams, rivers and ditches upstream to the first dam or lake or streams flowing into Lake Superior and their tributaries upstream to the first impassable barrier.

All other fishing regulations, including bag limits, size limits and species restrictions, remain in effect.