FROM WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

BARRON, Wis. – The 2020 northern zone muskellunge season will open as planned on May 23. The northern zone includes inland waters north of U.S. Hwy 10 (excluding Wisconsin – Michigan boundary waters).

Recognized as Wisconsin’s state fish, anglers will have the opportunity to catch musky through Dec. 31 on open waters within the northern muskellunge management zone.

“As the weather warms up, so does the fishing, and with the opener of the northern muskellunge zone, there are more opportunities for anglers,” said Justine Hasz, DNR Bureau of Fisheries Management Director. “For 2020, there is an extension to the open water fishing season for muskellunge in the northern zone through Dec. 31, giving anglers more time on the water to catch the fish of a lifetime.”

Anglers should consult the 2020-2021 Hook and Line Fishing Regulations for daily bag and size limits as all regulations and license requirements apply. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the GoWild system or at certain essential businesses. Please visit the fishing license webpage for more information.

More information on the elusive musky can be found in the 2020-2021 Wisconsin Fishing Report. Anglers can locate “trophy” musky waters on the Department of Natural Resources’ musky webpage.

The DNR encourages anglers to continue to fish close to home, practice safe social distancing and adhere to Gov. Evers’ Badger Bounce Back Plan. For specific information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates and to follow @DHSWI on Facebook and Twitter, or @dhs.wi on Instagram. Additional information is available on the CDC website.