Retiring in Wisconsin

Wisconsin residents age 65 and older pay $7 for an annual fishing license, one of the lowest senior rates in the Midwest, with an additional inland trout stamp at $10 and a Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp also at $10. The state's more than 15,000 lakes, the Mississippi River, and Lake Michigan provide a wide range of freshwater and Great Lakes fishing.

Wisconsin DNR inventories more than 2,000 public boat access sites statewide, covering the state's nearly 15,000 lakes, the Mississippi River, and Lake Michigan. Developed shore fishing sites and accessible piers complement the launch ramp network, with public launch fees capped at $13 without special DNR approval.

Madison Parks opened indoor pickleball courts at Warner Park Community Recreation Center, and Milwaukee County Parks runs an outdoor open-play pickleball league at West Milwaukee Park and other locations. Green Bay holds an annual outdoor 70-plus Doubles Pickleball Tournament organized by the city and Packerland Pickleball Players.

The Milwaukee Art Museum, with a collection of more than 30,000 works and a signature lakefront building, anchors the state's visual arts scene, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs a full season at Uihlein Hall. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and numerous community theaters in smaller cities add to Wisconsin's statewide cultural offerings.

Wisconsin's 72 Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) serve as single points of entry for older adults and people with disabilities seeking information on services, housing, and support, reachable statewide at 844-WIS-ADRC. The Department of Health Services aging programs also fund the Elderly Nutrition Program and evidence-based wellness programs in communities across the state.

Wisconsin's 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail traces the edge of the last glacier across the state, passing through state parks and forests and offering segments from flat meadow walks to wooded ridge routes. The Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit includes accessible opportunities at Whitewater Lake, with a paved fishing pier and accessible loop trail.

The City of Madison Parks operates several public golf courses described as providing exceptional value, and Milwaukee County's Brown Deer Park Golf Course is a well-regarded public layout in the metro area. Wisconsin Golf's statewide membership directory lists public and semi-private courses offering seasonal memberships across all regions.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Master Gardener Program supports a network of horticulture educators statewide, with a 12-week Foundations in Gardening class as the entry point to certification. Wisconsin's growing season varies from late May to September in the north, with the southern counties seeing a somewhat longer season.