Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend

Wisconsin State Free Fishing Weekend!  January 17 & 18, 2026
Have you always wanted to try and ice fish?  This is the time to do it!  No license required.

Book your stay in Ashland and receive $25 in Chamber Dollars to spend while you are here in Ashland at any of these Chamber Members. From restaurants to entertainment, retail stores to specialty shops, grocery, gas station to auto repair.  All you have to do is once you have booked your stay email us at info@visitashland.com your confirmation and we will have the Chamber Dollars waiting for you at your place of lodging.

Ashland Lodging Properties: AmericInn, Ashland Super 8, Best Western/Hotel Chequamegon, Blue Wave Inn, Crest Motel, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Inn at Timber Cove, Lakeside Motel, Quality Inn, River Rock Inn & Bait Shop and Second Wind Country Inn.

WINTER ice forms on inland lakes soon after Thanksgiving Day. Anglers can take their pick of excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, or any of the three major panfish – perch, bluegill and crappie. Sometime after Christmas, Lake Superior freezes and anglers can fish for all the aforementioned fish as well as all species of trout. In late January, the ice usually extends into the Apostle Islands where diehard lake trout “bobbers” practice vertical jigging in water up to 250 feet deep for lake trout that regularly exceed 20 pounds. March starts the “late ice” period that has smelt entering the Bay in preparation for their spawning that occurs during ice-out. Big fish follow the smelt and all of the shallows can have great action.

For the Ashland County Fishing Report click here.

Please exercise caution whenever you’re on the ice. Take a moment to review this ice safety brochure for helpful tips to ensure your safety while out on the ice.

For more information, call 715-682-2500, or visit www.dnr.wi.gov.