Madison – New regulations for frying pans and game fish on the St. River began on March 1. Croix in northwestern Wisconsin and the Fox-Illinois River in Waukesha County.
These recent regulations change bag and length limits for game fish and establish recent fish sanctuaries on the St. River. Croix and more on the Fox-Illinois River.
Changes in the St. River Croix
Channel totals: no minimum length limit; you can keep a limit of five channel catfish per day and only one longer than 24 inches.
Flathead Catfish: No minimum length limit; you can keep a limit of two flathead catfish per day and only one longer than 24 inches.
Northern pike: no minimum length limit; daily limit of three northern pike and only one longer than 30 inches per day.
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Panfish: Daily bag limit of 15 of each panfish species (including bluefin/sunfish, crappie and yellow perch).
Walleye and sauger: A daily limit of four walleye or sauger maximum, with a 15-inch size limit for walleye and no size limit for sauger. Only one walleye or sauger longer than 20 inches may be kept per day.
White and Yellow Bass (Combined): No size limits; daily bag limit of 10 total white and yellow bass.
These recent regulations also create two recent fish sanctuaries to assist protect spawning fish. One is on the St. River. Croix, extending from the highway. Bridge 8 upstream to St. Dam. Croix Falls, effective March 1 through June 15, and a second bridge across the Fox-Illinois River from Madison Street in Waukesha upstream to Barstow Dam, effective March 1 through May 1.
Fishing is not allowed in these two refuges during these two periods.
Anglers can find a full list of changes to fishing regulations for 2024-2025 at: DNR fishing regulations website.
