The change is meant to increase harvest chances throughout the state’s inland streams, springs and spring ponds.

“Trout populations are strong across most Wisconsin waters and this additional month of harvest will provide anglers more fishing opportunities during a time of the year when other fishing seasons are generally closed,” the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said in a news release.

The earlier open harvest season for trout does not apply to inland lakes and ponds. For those waters, the traditional first Saturday in May opener still applies. In 2026, this season opens May 2.

The move to an earlier stream season was strongly supported by the public during the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress 2025 Spring Hearings. The season will run through Thursday, Oct. 15.

Wisconsin's inland trout harvest season for inland streams, springs and spring ponds will open on Saturday, April 4, and run through Thursday, Oct. 15. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo)

Anglers will need a 2026-2027 general fishing license and inland trout stamp, which are both valid until March 31, 2027, and can be purchased through Go Wild or at an in-person license sales location.

The DNR also reminds anglers that there have been some changes to the trout daily bag and length limits this year. Consult the Guide to Wisconsin’s 2026-2027 Trout Fishing Regulations for specifics.

No changes have been made to the trout season dates or bag limits on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Green Bay or Green Bay tributaries.

Sportsman’s Supper

Seminars and displays will be offered beginning at 3 p.m. today at the 28th annual Sportsman’s Seminar and Supper in the Iron Mountain Central Middle School gym and cafeteria, 300 W. Hughitt St.

A dinner of wild game and traditional foods will be served at 5:10 p.m.

Ross Crowe is the featured speaker at 6:15 p.m., presenting “Bucket List of Fishing Adventures.”

The event and dinner are free. It’s sponsored and promoted by Family Baptist Church of Iron Mountain. A free will offering will be appreciated.

Michigan’s eHarvest

Beginning with the 2026 license year, the Michigan DNR is expanding its eHarvest digital tagging system to include most species that require a kill tag. Hunters harvesting deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fisher and marten will have the option to tag harvested animals digitally through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.

The digital tagging expansion follows successful pilot programs for turkey eHarvest tagging in 2024 and 2025, the DNR said.

Hunters who already have the mobile app should ensure they have the most recent version. The DNR recommends going to the app store and searching for Michigan DNR Hunt Fish – if the app store indicates “get” or “install,” you’ll need to download the new version.

Digital eHarvest tags are optional. Traditional paper tags will continue to be available through eLicense and at retail agents for hunters who prefer them.

Kill tags purchased through the app will be digital eHarvest tags, and those purchased via eLicense or at a retail agent will be traditional paper tags.

“Expanding the eHarvest system improves hunter convenience, increases efficiency and reduces administrative costs while allowing us to direct more resources toward wildlife conservation and habitat management,” said Tom Weston, DNR chief technology officer.

Under the digital eHarvest tag system:

— No tagging of the animal is required as long as the licensed hunter is in possession of the animal, which includes when the animal is transferred directly to a processor or taxidermist or stored at the hunter’s primary residence. Hunters only need to create a physical tag when they are not in possession of a harvested animal. When the animal leaves the licensed hunter’s possession, a durable tag with the license number clearly written should be attached to it.

Bear, bobcat, fisher, marten and otter are still required to be sealed at a DNR office.

— Digital tag validation is immediately recorded and timestamped on the user’s device. Cellular service is not required at the time of validation.

— Digital eHarvest tags are available 24 hours a day through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.

— Immediate validation requirements remain in place.

Additional information is available on the DNR eHarvest tags webpage, which can be found at Michigan.gov/DNRHuntFishApp.

Upper Peninsula report

After this week’s blizzard, the Michigan DNR is advising outdoor enthusiasts to be cautious when planning visits to trails and state parks. Watch for damaged trees and hanging tree limbs that may fall unexpectedly.

The DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers reported fair walleye fishing during the week of the walleye season close. Anglers used set lines with treble hooks or small spoons baited with live minnows. They also jigged gliding baits and spoons. Anglers reported fair to slow perch fishing. Weather conditions included heavy snowfall, which made travel on the ice difficult.

Munising: The coho salmon bite was good for anglers this past week. Anglers targeting perch reported good numbers. The whitefish bite was tough but was picking up for some anglers. Burbot and smelt were also reported by anglers pursuing them at night. Popular baits included eggs and minnows.

Les Cheneaux Islands: Last week, anglers caught a few perch and cisco in Hessel Bay and perch in Urie Bay. With the weather, recent fishing was nearly impossible, and anglers had to dig out their snowmobiles and shanties before even considering heading back onto the ice.