Wisconsin
Free fishing, trails and parks kick off Wisconsin’s summer | Paul A. Smith
100-acre purchase boosts Devil’s Lake State Park size
The DNR purchased this L-shaped parcel of land adjacent to Devil’s Lake State Park for $350,000 from conservation nonprofit The Conservation Fund.
Fishing, hiking and the other skills we now call “outdoor activities” were essential parts of life for thousands of years in this area known as Wisconsin.
In recent times the activities have become recreational for most people.
That doesn’t make them unimportant. In fact, time spent outdoors is arguably more critical now than it’s ever been for physical and mental health.
Studies over recent decades have shown Americans adopting more sedentary lifestyles – spending less time connecting with nature and more time indoors on digital devices.
Wisconsin officials have seen it, too, in declining or flat participation in certain outdoor activities.
In an effort to spark interest in angling, in 1987 the Department of Natural Resources offered Wisconsin’s first Free Fishing Day. It allowed anyone, state resident or visitor, to fish without a license.
In 1994 it doubled in size to become Free Fishing Weekend, traditionally held on the first full weekend in June, according to state records.
And in 2013 the concept was further expanded to Free Fun Weekend. In addition to free fishing, the two days included no entrance fee at state parks and no trail pass required for state trails.
That’s where we stand this year, as the DNR has continued to promote the free opportunities in roughly the same package.
In addition to their contributions to health and wellness, outdoor activities are a large part of the Wisconsin economy. In 2024, the outdoor industry contributed a record-breaking $12 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, supported more than 100,000 jobs and provided more than $5.7 billion in salary and wages to Wisconsinites, according to the state Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Here’s what to know about Free Fun Weekend in 2026:
When will the opportunities be offered this year?
Free Fun Weekend will be June 6 and 7, 2026.
Where are the free privileges offered on Free Fun Weekend?
Wisconsin has 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and approximately 15,000 inland lakes, according to the DNR.
What does Free Fun Weekend mean at state parks?
The state park entry fee is waived for June 6 and 7. Often called a vehicle admission pass, it costs most Wisconsin residents $28 a year and is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas.
“If you’ve never checked out a Wisconsin state park before, Free Fun Weekend is the perfect opportunity to come visit for the first time,” Steve Schmelzer, DNR bureau director of parks and recreation management, said in a statement.
Schmelzer invited people to bring their friends and family to a state park or trail to enjoy time at a beach, have a picnic or go for a hike.
Here’s a link to the DNR’s guide to Wisconsin State Parks.
What does Free Fun Weekend mean for state trails?
Similar to the parks, the state trail pass fee is waived for June 6 and 7. A state trail pass ($25 annual fee) is typically required to hike, bike, ski, in-line skate or ride horses, as appropriate, on state trails.
In addition, ATVs, UTVs and OHMs (off-highway motorcycles) are exempt from registration requirements on Free Fun Weekend, according to the DNR. Resident and nonresident all-terrain vehicle operators do not need a trail pass to ride state ATV trails.
How about fishing?
People can fish Wisconsin waters June 6 and 7 without a license and without an inland or Great Lakes stamp, if appropriate.
Justine Hasz, DNR bureau director of fisheries management, said in a statement Free Fun Weekend was “a great chance to try fishing yourself, introduce a child or catch a fresh meal.”
Hasz also encouraged people who don’t have fishing gear to borrow it from one of many DNR tackle loaner sites in the state.
The DNR also offers the Wisconsin Fishing Finder for people looking for help finding a place to fish.
In addition, on June 6 free fishing clinics will be offered at seven sites, including Beaver Dam, New Berlin and Oshkosh.
One important note: All Wisconsin fishing regulations such as bag limits and size limits are still in effect on Free Fishing Weekend.
Topline
The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted Friday to send two complaints to prosecutors alleging Elon Musk violated state election laws by writing checks to voters last year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported—after Musk invested tens of millions of dollars to support failed conservative candidate Brad Schimel.
Elon Musk gives a $1 million check to Nicholas Jacobs during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on March 30, 2025. (Photo by ROBIN LEGRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The commission voted 5-1 finding probable cause Musk violated the state’s election bribery statute when he offered money to people who voted in the 2025 election.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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 July 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 13 drawing
05-25-36-40-48, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 4-6-2
Evening: 4-1-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 0-6-6-8
Evening: 1-6-6-2
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 01-04-05-06-07-08-10-11-13-15-22
Evening: 05-06-07-09-12-14-16-19-20-21-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from July 13 drawing
23-24-25-26-29
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from July 13 drawing
01-07-13-18-24-29, 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.
(WLUK) — The IRS is giving Wisconsin residents and business owners who were affected by severe weather in April, more time to file their taxes.
These taxpayers now have until Nov. 2, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside in Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties, as well as the Oneida Indian Reservation qualify for tax relief.
The declaration permits the IRS to postpone certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For instance, certain deadlines falling on or after April 13, 2026, and before Nov. 2, 2026, are granted additional time to file.
Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after April 13, 2026, and before April 28, 2026, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by April 28, 2026.
The Nov. 2, 2026, deadline also applies to affected quarterly payroll and certain excise tax returns normally due on April 30 and July 31, 2026.
If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty.
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