Northern zone smallmouth bass harvest season opened June 21

The 2025-26 smallmouth bass fishing season opened in the northern bass management zone June 21 and runs through March 1, 2026. 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. The northern 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. • 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. Check the 2025-2026 Guide to Hook and Line Fishing Regulations for bag and size limits.