Fish Farms

Importing Fish

An import permit is required to bring live fish or fish eggs into Wisconsin for the following purposes:

• Introducing the fish or eggs into waters of the state.
• Using the fish or eggs as bait.
• Holding the fish or hatching the eggs at a fish farm for which a registration certificate is required.
• Selling or distributing the fish or eggs.

Exceptions include:

• Ornamental fish or fish eggs that will not be commingled with non-ornamental fish.
• Fish or eggs that will be kept in closed buildings for display or research, provided the fish or eggs are not comingled with fish or eggs held or used for other purposes and no untreated water is discharged.
• Fish or eggs kept in closed buildings and shipped out of Wisconsin within 30 days, provided no untreated water is discharged.
• Fish or eggs to be slaughtered within 30 days provided the fish or eggs are not comingled with fish or eggs held or used for other purposes and no untreated water is discharged.
• Fish or eggs directly imported by the Department of Natural Resources.

Permits are valid for one year, and expire on the date provided by the department. A copy of the permit and fish health certificate must accompany each shipment. Permit applications are available here or by calling 608-224-4887. A nonrefundable fee of $90 is required and a completed, signed and dated application must accompany the request along with a current fish health certificate (FHC). Allow up to 30 days to receive approval after the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection receives the application.

For greater detail, click here for ATCP 10.62 of the Wisconsin's Administrative Code. You will need a PDF reader to view the code.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has administrative rules regarding importation of non-native species of fish. Some non-native fish include: arctic char, atlantic salmon, chinook salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon, redear sunfish, tiger trout and tilapia. If the fish import permit requires review by the WDNR, we will forward the application to the appropriate administrative staff. They will communicate with us about the approval and forward their findings directly to the applicant. If non-native species are approved for importation, we will then issue our fish import permit to the applicant.

Placing fish into waters of the state requires a fish farm registration or a WDNR Stocking Permit. Fish farm registrations are available here and stocking permits can be obtained here.

Fish Movement Rules for Other States can be found at this internet site: http://www.ncrac.org/Info/StateImportRegs/stateregsmain.htm

For additional information call 608-224-4887 or e-mail Jody Gennrich.