Gov. Evers Proposes Higher Fees For Hunting and Fishing Licenses

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – As part of his 2025-27 Biennial Budget, Evers wants to increase fees for fish, game and wildlife licenses for Wisconsin residents.

In the governor’s budget, also known as Senate Bill 45, he lays out the hunting, fishing and trapping fees.

A majority of the licenses and tags would increase by $10 to $20 including for small game, deer, fishing and wild turkey:

Some could increase by $40 including wolf harvesting, with a new fee of $88.25 and conservation patron has a new fee of $201.

According to the DNR, the last time license fees rose for residents was in 2005. However, in 2023 fee increases were announced for only nonresidents as part of Gov. Evers’ 2024-25 budget.

Over the last 20 years inflation has increased 59% and costs of equipment and many items needed by the DNR have jumped even more.