General Information Chippewa Indians called this 54,424-square-mile land mass "the gathering of the waters." Surrounded by the mighty Mississippi River and Lakes Superior and Michigan, Wisconsin has an abundance of lakes of various sizes as well as spring-fed rivers and streams throughout the state. Composed of northern coniferous forests, prairie, hardwood forest, and farmland, Wisconsin was formed by ancient glaciers. Wisconsin has some of the most attractive scenery in the Midwest, especially along its 600-mile coastline, attracting many outdoor enthusiasts. Capital City: Madison Largest City: Milwaukee National Parks and Forests: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Chequamegon National Forest Nicolet National Forest Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Sport Fishing More than 8,000 inland lakes, 1,400 streams classified as trout water, and the Great Lakes are all available to anglers seeking sport fishing in Wisconsin. Lakes Superior and Michigan offer fishing throughout the year for a wide variety of species. Brown trout, coho and chinook salmon, brook trout, steelhead, yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike are most popular with a majority of anglers. In addition, most of Wisconsin's inland lakes are popular for walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, and panfish, while a good majority of the lakes are deep and cool enough to support populations of rainbow, brook, brown, and lake trout, and splake (hybrid of the lake trout). Much of the water of the southwestern part of the state is spring fed and native strains of brook, brown, and rainbow trout have been introduced. The Great Lakes tributaries also have migrating salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout during spawning runs in the spring and fall. Hunting Wisconsin's abundant forests, plains, and farmland offer habitat for an array of wild game. Legal hunting seasons for bear, white-tailed deer, bobcat, wild turkey, pheasant, migratory waterfowl, and other fur-bearing animals occur throughout the fall and winter months, open to residents and non-residents alike. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administers licensing, and specific information regarding license requirements, fees, season dates, and bag limits can be found in the Wisconsin Hunting Regulations. Copies can be obtained where licenses are sold or by calling the WDNR at (608) 266-2621. For more information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.