Wisconsin Hook and Line Sturgeon License: Inland and WI-MI rules, harvest tags, open waters and registration
This page explains the Wisconsin sturgeon hook-and-line license decision in plain English: Inland vs Wisconsin-Michigan tag, resident and nonresident costs, 2026 season dates, open harvest waters, catch-and-release waters, 60-inch harvest rule, tag validation and registration deadline.
Quick answer: which hook-and-line sturgeon license do you need?
If you plan to harvest a Wisconsin lake sturgeon by hook and line, you need the right general fishing license plus a valid hook-and-line lake sturgeon harvest tag for the water you are fishing. The two common hook-and-line sturgeon products are Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland and Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan.
For 2026-2027 planning, Wisconsin’s season table lists lake sturgeon hook-and-line season as Sept. 5, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2026. The minimum harvest length is 60 inches, and the harvest tag costs $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. You do not need a harvest tag if you only catch and release sturgeon on waters open to sturgeon catch-and-release fishing.
What this page solves for anglers
Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon license picker
Use this helper before opening Go Wild. It gives the right starting point, but you should still confirm the final product and waterbody rule in the official system.
Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland vs Wisconsin & Michigan
The product names look similar, but the waterbody is different. Buy by the exact water you are fishing, not by the county you live in or the state where your boat launches.
| Product | Where it points | Plain-English use | Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland | Wisconsin inland waters open to lake sturgeon hook-and-line harvest | Use when harvesting one legal lake sturgeon from an open inland harvest water. | Other inland waters are closed all year unless specifically listed as open. |
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan | Wisconsin-Michigan boundary-water sturgeon product | Use only when the exact WI-MI boundary-water rule and season allow the sturgeon activity you plan. | Do not assume WI-MI means harvest is open everywhere. The current DNR season table lists Menominee River below Grand Rapids Dam as catch-and-release only for the listed period. |
| Military Inland Sturgeon Hook & Line | Qualified nonresident military inland sturgeon product | Listed at $20 for eligible nonresident military users. | Listed as not available online; bring eligibility documents to a license agent. |
| Military WI/MI Sturgeon Hook & Line | Qualified nonresident military Wisconsin-Michigan product | Listed at $20 for eligible nonresident military users. | Listed as not available online; confirm exact WI-MI boundary rule first. |
Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon license costs
These are the sturgeon hook-and-line products most anglers need to compare. Product availability and qualification are controlled by the official Go Wild catalog.
| License or tag product | Resident cost | Nonresident cost | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland | $20 | $50 | You plan to harvest lake sturgeon by hook and line from a Wisconsin inland water that is open to harvest. |
| Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan | $20 | $50 | Your exact Wisconsin-Michigan boundary-water rule requires this product and your activity is legally allowed. |
| Military Inland Sturgeon Hook & Line | Check resident military rules | $20, not available online | Qualified nonresident military user meets eligibility and needs inland sturgeon hook-and-line product. |
| Military WI/MI Sturgeon Hook & Line | Check resident military rules | $20, not available online | Qualified nonresident military user meets eligibility and needs Wisconsin-Michigan product. |
| General fishing license | $20 annual | $55 annual | Needed in addition to the sturgeon tag for anglers required to hold a fishing license. |
Open inland hook-and-line sturgeon harvest waters
Wisconsin’s hook-and-line sturgeon harvest is not statewide. The DNR season table lists only specific inland harvest waters for the first Saturday in September through Sept. 30. For 2026, the statewide season table lists hook-and-line lake sturgeon as Sept. 5-30.
| Open inland harvest water | Season | What to verify before keeping fish |
|---|---|---|
| Butternut Lake, Price County | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Confirm current year, exact lake rule, 60-inch minimum and registration station. |
| Jump River from the North and South Forks to the confluence with the Chippewa River | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Check exact segment. Upstream/downstream sections may not be the same. |
| Yellow Lake, Little Yellow Lake and Danbury Flowage | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Confirm Burnett County rules and registration plan. |
| Yellow River from Yellow Lake downstream to the Danbury Dam | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Do not assume all Yellow River sections are open. |
| Wisconsin River downstream from the Wisconsin Dells Dam | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Confirm the river section and current hook-and-line regulation guide. |
Closed waters and catch-and-release waters
This section prevents the most expensive mistake: buying a tag and fishing closed or catch-and-release-only water.
| Water category | Official-style rule summary | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Other inland waters | Closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing | If the inland water is not listed as open, do not target sturgeon there. |
| Lake Winnebago system waters | Closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing | The famous Winnebago sturgeon fishery is winter spearing, not hook-and-line harvest. |
| Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan tributaries, Green Bay and Green Bay tributaries to first dam or lake | No open season | Do not buy a hook-and-line sturgeon tag expecting to harvest sturgeon there. |
| Menominee River below the Grand Rapids Dam | Catch and release only, first Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | This is a Wisconsin-Michigan boundary-water example where “open” does not mean harvest. |
| Selected catch-and-release river systems | 0 bag limit | Release the fish immediately. A harvest tag does not change a zero bag limit. |
Lake sturgeon catch-and-release waters and dates
Wisconsin DNR lists several waters as catch-and-release only with a zero bag limit. A harvest tag is not needed if you are only catch-and-release fishing on waters open to sturgeon fishing, but you must still follow the listed season and release rules.
| Catch-and-release water group | Listed season | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|
| Namekagon River from Hayward Dam to St. Croix River; St. Croix River including Upper St. Croix Lake upstream from St. Croix Dam at Gordon Flowage; Bear River from Lac du Flambeau Dam; Manitowish River from Rest Lake Dam; Little Turtle River from Lake of the Falls Dam; Flambeau River system; Butternut Lake; East and West Fork Chippewa areas; Chippewa River; Jump River; Eau Claire River; Red Cedar River; Black River; Wisconsin River from Merrill Flowage Dam to Mississippi River | June 6, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| St. Croix River downstream from St. Croix Falls Dam | Oct. 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| Menominee River upstream of the Grand Rapids Dam | June 6, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | 0 – catch and release only |
| Menominee River downstream of the Grand Rapids Dam to Green Bay | Sept. 6, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026 | 0 – catch and release only |
2026 Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon season date
For 2026-2027 season planning, Wisconsin DNR’s season table lists Lake Sturgeon hook-and-line from Sept. 5, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2026. That is the broad statewide season-table date, but it does not mean every water is open.
| Season item | 2026 date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Lake sturgeon hook-and-line | Sept. 5-30, 2026 | Use only on waters open to lake sturgeon hook-and-line fishing. |
| Open inland harvest waters | First Saturday in September to Sept. 30 | Harvest allowed only on listed harvest waters and only with correct license/tag. |
| Catch-and-release selected waters | Varies by water | Zero bag limit. Do not keep fish. |
| Lake Winnebago system by hook and line | Closed all year | Do not hook-and-line target sturgeon there. |
| Other inland waters | Closed all year unless listed | If it is not in the open harvest or C&R list, assume closed until verified. |
60-inch rule and one-fish season limit
Wisconsin DNR’s hook-and-line sturgeon guidance lists a 60-inch minimum length limit for harvest. DNR also reminds anglers that only one sturgeon meeting the minimum length may be harvested during the season.
Do not guess a sturgeon’s length. If the fish is close to 60 inches or you cannot measure properly, release it.
After you harvest your legal sturgeon, your tag is filled. Do not continue harvesting sturgeon.
DNR reminds anglers it is illegal to fish by snagging, foul hooking or trying to hook fish anywhere other than in the mouth.
Lake sturgeon are long-lived fish. If you release one, keep it in the water as much as possible and handle it responsibly.
Tag validation and registration after harvest
Harvesting a sturgeon creates immediate responsibilities. You need to validate your tag, handle the fish legally and register it by the deadline.
| Step after harvest | What Wisconsin DNR guidance means | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Validate tag immediately | The tag must be validated immediately upon harvest and before moving the fish. | Do not wait until you are at the truck or at home. |
| Attach carcass tag when needed | The carcass tag only needs to be attached if you leave the sturgeon carcass, but validation is still immediate. | Keep the tag and fish together; follow the tag instructions exactly. |
| Register harvested sturgeon | A harvested sturgeon must be registered at a designated registration station no later than 6 p.m. the day after catch. | Know the nearest registration station and its hours before fishing. |
| If station is closed | Some registration stations are not open 24/7. | Be prepared to keep the fish on ice until registration is possible by the deadline. |
| Keep records clear | The tag, fish, registration and angler must match. | Do not let another person validate or register your fish for you unless official rules allow it. |
If you catch a tagged sturgeon
Some sturgeon may have a tag near the dorsal fin. If you release a tagged sturgeon, leave the tag attached. DNR uses tag information to learn about sturgeon movement and growth.
| Information to record | Why it helps | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| County, waterbody and location | Shows where the tagged fish was encountered. | Write down the most exact location you can. |
| Date of catch | Helps track movement over time. | Record the date before leaving the water. |
| Tag number, color and material | Identifies the fish in DNR records. | Photograph the tag if it does not harm the fish. |
| Overall fish length | Supports growth and management data. | Measure carefully and release quickly if not harvesting. |
How to buy the hook-and-line sturgeon tag on Go Wild
Go Wild is for final purchase, account access, product availability and payment. Decide your exact water and product first so you do not buy the wrong tag.
Before checkout, confirm the exact lake or river segment is open to harvest or catch-and-release sturgeon fishing.
Use Inland for open Wisconsin inland harvest waters. Use Wisconsin & Michigan only when the exact Wisconsin-Michigan boundary-water rule points to that product.
If you intend to keep a sturgeon, buy the harvest tag. If you only release on open catch-and-release water, the harvest tag is not needed.
Go to gowild.wi.gov. Do not enter identity or payment details on unofficial pages.
Use your existing DNR customer number if you have bought Wisconsin licenses before.
Look for Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland or Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan based on your water.
Check name, residency, fishing license, tag product, season, waterbody and total cost before checkout.
Carry license/tag proof while fishing. Keep registration station information available if you intend to harvest.
Common mistakes to avoid
A tag does not make closed water open. Confirm the exact waterbody before buying.
Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters can require different product logic and special rules.
The current season table lists Menominee River below Grand Rapids Dam as catch-and-release only for the listed sturgeon period.
Lake Winnebago system waters are closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing.
Validate your tag immediately upon harvest and before moving the fish.
Harvested sturgeon must be registered at a designated station by 6 p.m. the day after catch.
Wisconsin DNR central office map
This map is included for official DNR reference and service-center context. For final sturgeon license purchase, use Go Wild. For in-person help, registration-station clarification, special license questions or sturgeon regulation support, use official DNR contacts.
Official action links
The important rules are explained above so this page does not behave like a middleman. Use these official links only for final actions that must happen on official systems: purchase, exact legal confirmation, registration station lookup or current DNR updates.
Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon license FAQs
When is Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon season in 2026?
Wisconsin’s 2026-2027 fishing season table lists lake sturgeon hook-and-line season as Sept. 5, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2026. Only certain waters are open, so always confirm the exact waterbody.
How much is the Wisconsin Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland license?
Sturgeon Hook & Line Inland is listed at $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
How much is the Wisconsin-Michigan hook-and-line sturgeon license?
Sturgeon Hook & Line Wisconsin & Michigan is listed at $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
Do I need a sturgeon tag if I release the fish?
No harvest tag is required if you only catch and release sturgeon on waters open to sturgeon fishing. You must still follow the season, waterbody and release rules.
Do I need a general fishing license too?
Yes, if you are an angler required to hold a Wisconsin fishing license. The sturgeon harvest tag does not replace the general fishing license.
What is the minimum size for harvesting lake sturgeon in Wisconsin?
The minimum length limit for lake sturgeon harvest is 60 inches.
Can I harvest more than one sturgeon in the season?
No. DNR guidance reminds anglers that only one legal lake sturgeon may be harvested during the season.
Can I hook-and-line fish for sturgeon on Lake Winnebago?
No. Lake Winnebago system waters are closed all year to hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing. Winnebago sturgeon harvest is a separate winter spearing fishery.
Can I harvest sturgeon from Lake Michigan or Green Bay?
The DNR season table lists no open season for Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan tributaries, Green Bay and Green Bay tributary streams, rivers and ditches upstream to the first dam or lake.
What is the Menominee River WI-MI sturgeon rule?
The current season table lists Menominee River below the Grand Rapids Dam as catch-and-release only from the first Saturday in September to Sept. 30. Do not assume Wisconsin-Michigan boundary water means harvest is open.
When must I register a harvested hook-and-line sturgeon?
A harvested sturgeon must be registered at a designated registration station no later than 6 p.m. the day after it was caught.
Do I need to validate the tag immediately?
Yes. The harvest tag must be validated immediately upon harvest and before moving the sturgeon.
What if I catch a tagged sturgeon and release it?
Leave the tag attached. Record the county, waterbody, location, date, tag number, tag color/material and fish length if possible, then provide that information to DNR fisheries staff.
Where do I buy a Wisconsin hook-and-line sturgeon tag?
Use the official Go Wild portal, a DNR Service Center or an authorized sales location. Some military sturgeon products are listed as not available online.
Editorial verification
This page was reviewed against official Wisconsin DNR and Go Wild resources on July 14, 2026. The review included hook-and-line lake sturgeon season dates, open inland harvest waters, catch-and-release waters, Lake Winnebago closure for hook-and-line sturgeon, boundary and outlying water rules, Wisconsin-Michigan boundary-water notes, resident and nonresident sturgeon license costs, military sturgeon product notes, minimum length limit, one-fish season limit, tag validation, registration station deadline, tagged-sturgeon reporting details and official Go Wild purchase context.
Disclaimer: WisconsinFishingLicense.website is an independent educational website. It is not the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Go Wild, Wisconsin.gov or a government agency. Always verify final license purchase, legal requirements, product eligibility, registration stations and waterbody-specific sturgeon rules on official Wisconsin DNR resources.