Tips for 2023 Wisconsin fishing opener

The 2023 Wisconsin fishing season opens this Saturday.

The late ice out this year is impacting water temperatures in lakes and rivers around the Northwest region. DNR Fisheries Biologist Nate Thomas shared a few tips to find early season success in colder waters.

“Definitely try to focus your efforts in those shallower waters that are getting the sunlight, and have that darker substrate to really heat up the water more than other parts of the lake. You could expect, especially earlier on, that a lot of fish will be focused on hanging out in those areas.”

As for where to cast your lines he suggests, “Lake Nebagamon, Lake Namakagen those are two decent walleye lakes, also have some good pan fish population. Pike Chain over by Iron River is a good one, the Eau Claire Chain is always good as well.”

Thomas reminds anglers that Wisconsin muskie season doesn’t open until Memorial Day weekend and small mouth season starts mid-June.

For more information on the Wisconsin fishing season head to the Wisconsin DNR’s website.