Many waters are catch-and-release only or have 48-inch minimums on designated trophy waters. The Wisconsin Muskie Alliance encourages voluntary catch-and-release.
Popular Wisconsin Waters
Chippewa Flowage
Eagle Lake
Lake Court Oreilles
Trout Lake
Lake St. Germain
Tips for Wisconsin Muskellunge (Muskie) Fishing
Wisconsin is the "Muskie Capital of the World" — more record muskies have come from Wisconsin than any other state.
The Chippewa Flowage is legendary, producing the world record muskie of 67 lbs 8 oz caught in 1949.
Muskies are called "the fish of 10,000 casts" — persistence is required.
Common Questions
The statewide minimum for muskellunge in Wisconsin is 36 inches with a 1-fish daily bag limit. Many trophy waters have 48-inch or larger minimums. Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged.
Wisconsin is widely considered the best muskie state. The Chippewa Flowage, Eagle Lake, and the Vilas County "Muskie Paradise" lakes around Boulder Junction are top destinations. Minnesota's Leech Lake and Lake of the Woods are also world-class.
Important: Fishing regulations change annually. This page reflects regulations for 2026 but always verify current rules with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before fishing. Some waters have special regulations that differ from the statewide rules.