Unlimited fishing opportunities

Lakes may be opened to unlimited fishing when planned rehabilitation projects require drawdowns or the use of pesticides, both of which can create water levels or conditions that are not sufficient for fish to survive.

Following approved lake management plan strategies, lakes may be opened so that the public can take fish before they die. Lakes opened to liberalized fishing have signs posted at the public access or along the shore. DNR will alert local media and list the lakes along with the opening and closing dates on this web page.

Licensed anglers should use caution and check  lake or ice conditions before beginning to fish on opened lakes. These lakes may be restocked with fish when rehabilitation projects are complete.

Rules for taking fish from lakes opened to liberalized fishing

• The lakes may only be opened to unlimited fishing for a short period of time. So check the dates on posted signs or in local newspapers.
• You are required to have a resident angling license to take fish on liberalized lakes.
• You may take fish in any quantity only for personal use from lakes opened to liberalized fishing.
• You may not transfer live fish or fish eggs from one body of water to another.
• All fish packaged that are possessed by liberalized fishing must be identified by lake location and date taken.
• You may sell rough fish.
• You may take fish by dipnet, spear, gillnet, or angling (check each lake at the access site, gillnets may not be allowed at all lakes).
• You may not use seines, hoop nets, fyke nets, or explosives to take fish.
• All trespass laws are in effect and you should abide by them when accessing lakes.
• Do not leave any trash or litter on the lakes and take home all fish that are caught.

Lakes currently open