Wisconsin’s conservation patron license defies trends, gains buyers

Even as sales of most fishing, trapping, and hunting licenses decline in Wisconsin, the all-inclusive conservation patron license has grown nearly 50% in popularity after bottoming out in 2012.
Sales of the $165 patron license hit 65,803 in 2025, up from 44,049 at the same price 14 years ago. As with all resident hunting, fishing, and trapping fees, the patron license’s price hasn’t increased since 2005, when it cost $140. The record sales year was 2002, when 81,896 sold at $110 each. Wisconsin also offers a patron license for nonresidents.

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