Smallmouth Bass Fishing to Open in North

Anglers are reminded the 2025-26 smallmouth bass fishing season will open in the Northern Bass Management Zone this Saturday, June 21, and run through March 1, 2026. Vilas and Oneida are two of the counties that comprise the northern zone.

While anglers in the southern zone have been able to harvest bass since May 3, this harvest season gives anglers a chance to catch and keep smallmouth bass in waters north of State Highway 77 to the east of State Highway 27, and north of State Highway 64, according to the Wisconsin DNR.

The Northern Bass Management Zone also includes inland waters north of State Highway 29 in Brown and Kewaunee counties, Wisconsin-Michigan Boundary Waters, tributaries to Lake Michigan north of State Highway 29 in Door and Kewaunee counties, and Lake Superior, including the Kakagon River and Slough.

Catch-and-release fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass will remain open statewide throughout the year except where otherwise noted.

All anglers are required to have a 2025-26 Wisconsin fishing license. Licenses are available for purchase online through Go Wild or from an authorized license vendor. More information on licenses can be found on the DNR’s Fishing License webpage.

Bag and size limits can be found by checking the 2025-26 Guide to Hook and Line Fishing Regulations.

Anglers that need help picking a place to fish for smallmouth bass or want to explore new water can utilize the new Wisconsin Fishing Finder. It's a one-stop shop for fishing regulations, launch locations and access points, stocking information and more.