Wisconsin
DNR holds Free Fishing Weekend across Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Anglers across the state can wet a line without a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp.
“We encourage people that maybe haven’t participated in ice fishing in the past and want to check it out and learn a little bit more about it to join their family and friends or go to a nearby lake and consider giving it a try themselves,” Bob Nack with the Wisconsin DNR said.
Youth 15-year-old or under don’t need a license to go ice fishing any time of the year, so Nack says this free weekend applies to those that are 16-year-old and older.
“The idea is that hopefully they have a good time and enjoy themselves, want to do it in the future and that ignites that passion for natural resources that we have here in Wisconsin and their intertest in getting more involved with that in the future,” Nack said.
Nack says ice fishing doesn’t have to be a very gear-intensive sport.
“People shouldn’t feel intimidated if they don’t have all of the fancy equipment to go ice fishing,” he said. “You need a hole in the ice and some basic bait and getting advice from people that are out there fishing or the nearest bait shop is probably a good idea.”
Anglers can rent gear at various tackle loaner sites across the state. You can find those here, listed by county.
The Wisconsin DNR also wants to make sure everyone is safe out on the ice.
“Obviously, I would avoid areas of the lake where there’s nobody fishing because either the fish aren’t biting there or it could potentially be unsafe as well,” Nack said. “Just using some common sense and not exploring areas that may be unsafe.”
Nack adds ice tends to be a little bit thinner on springs and where there’s moving water.
The DNR is also hosting Learn to Ice Fish clinics during Free Fishing Weekend. You can register online or by calling 608-266-4711.
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(WLUK) — Just two days after he met with the FBI and Secret Service, Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad has entered the Wisconsin governor’s race.
Bangstad made the announcement this afternoon during an event that was posted on the company’s Facebook page.
He says he wanted someone to “stand up to Trump” and that his main concerns is “saving our democracy.”
Bangstad also shared his dissatisfaction with the current group of candidates for the crowded Democratic primary later this year
“I never wanted to do this,” Bangstad said. “At least I’m part of the conversation that I feel like everybody needs to be hearing right now.”
The brewing company owner was under fire this week after he posted “well, we almost got #freebeerday” shortly after the latest assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Bangstad has been a outspoken critic of the president. His company currently has a promotion promising free beer on the day Trump dies, which has drawn heavy criticism in the past.
In addition, his company sells merchandise that’s critical of the president, including t-shirts that read “I wish it was free beer day at Minocqua Brewing Company” and “Is he dead yet?”
Bangstad did not share if he would be aiming for a partisan endorsement, or the status of various required documents to enter the race.
He previously ran for a seat in the 34th District of the Wisconsin Assembly in 2020, but did not win the race. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin did donate to that campaign.
The Democratic primary is up in the air, with several state legislators and officials already in the race.
These include State Rep. Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is the front-runner, following an endorsement from President Trump that led to Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann dropping out of the race.
MADISON, Wis. – Walleye and musky fishing season will proceed as normal on Wisconsin’s lakes, despite resolutions by a local Tribe to restrict fishing on certain lakes.
On Friday, May 1, the federal Western District of Wisconsin issued a temporary restraining order that stopped the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from restricting fishing of walleye and musky on certain lakes.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), over the past month, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians have passed resolutions and made public statements that attempted to prohibit non-tribal members from fishing walleye and musky on nineteen lakes within the external boundaries of the Band’s reservation and from using forward trolling and forward-facing sonar on all lakes within the external boundaries of the Band’s reservation.
The State of Wisconsin filed a federal complaint in the Western District of Wisconsin to prevent the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from enforcing these resolutions against licensed anglers.
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Where to fish
What we know:
The federal court issued a restraining order against the tribe, which means that non-tribal anglers may fish as normal in the following lakes:
- Big Crawling Stone Lake
- Big Crooked Lake
- Bolton Lake
- Fat Lake
- Fence Lake
- Flambeau Lake
- Ike Walton Lake
- Little Crawling Stone Lake
- Little Sand Lake
- Long Lake
- Pokegama Lake
- Poupart Lake
- Signal Lake
- Stearns Lake
- Sugarbush Chain (Upper, Middle and Lower)
- White Sand Lake
- Whitefish Lake
The DNR says it remains committed to collaborating with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians on important conservation work to protect the walleye and musky fisheries.
Anglers are also reminded to follow all fishing regulations and bag limits for lakes across Wisconsin, and everyone is encouraged to be respectful of all tribal harvesters, anglers, and recreators.
Head to the DNR’s website to check out the full fishing season schedule.
The Source: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sent FOX6 a news release.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 1 drawing
16-21-27-41-61, Mega Ball: 24
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 1 drawing
Midday: 8-3-1
Evening: 0-8-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 1 drawing
Midday: 4-5-0-8
Evening: 7-8-4-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 1 drawing
Midday: 01-02-03-05-07-10-11-14-15-16-17
Evening: 02-03-05-06-10-11-13-16-18-20-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 1 drawing
04-09-11-19-21
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from May 1 drawing
16-18-21-22-28-29, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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