WI

Wisconsin Catfish Stocking Schedule

Normalized public-agency records with timing guidance and official source links.

Quick answer: Wisconsin catfish stocking timing varies by waterbody. Field work occurs throughout appropriate seasons, but the public database posts the current stocking year only after verification. That lag is intentional quality control. Our latest normalized snapshot shows 0 reported catfish stocking rows during the past 30 days (3 in the trailing 24 months). Data was retrieved July 19, 2026 from Wisconsin DNR Fish Stocking Summary; confirm current conditions with the official report.

Official Wisconsin stocking report →

When to go

Channel catfish put-and-take plants can fish well soon after stocking near release areas, especially with bait on bottom.

Typical window after a catchable plant: 1–10 days

Recent catfish stockings

Date Waterbody Species Count Source
Jan 1, 2025 LEOTA LAKE Channel Catfish 100 Agency
Jan 1, 2025 TURTLE LAKE Channel Catfish 200 Agency
Jan 1, 2025 UNNAMED Channel Catfish 19 Agency

FAQ

When are catfish stocked in Wisconsin?

Field work occurs throughout appropriate seasons, but the public database posts the current stocking year only after verification. That lag is intentional quality control. Recent normalized rows: 0 in the last 30 days.

How soon after catfish stocking should you fish?

Channel catfish put-and-take plants can fish well soon after stocking near release areas, especially with bait on bottom. Typical window: 1–10 days.

Where is the official Wisconsin stocking report?

Use Wisconsin fish stocking database from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This page is a dated research snapshot, not a live agency feed.

Related: Wisconsin stocking guide · Stocking near me map