President Trump’s Administration recently released files on UFOs, an issue that has drawn decades of public fascination.

The Pentagon has been reporting what it calls unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs, for decades. Public interest in UAPs has grown in recent years.

Most publicized UFO sightings in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a rich history of reported UFO encounters, with sightings dating back nearly a century. Based on reports from the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) and various investigative accounts, here are some of the most notable and publicized cases, including their years, locations, and brief descriptions. These have gained attention through media coverage, books, festivals, and paranormal investigations. I’ve focused on those frequently cited as significant or influential.

These cases often involve multiple witnesses and have been featured in books, articles, and TV segments. Wisconsin’s UFO activity spiked in the 1970s, with towns like Elmwood, Belleville, and Dundee (near Campbellsport) claiming “UFO Capital” status due to repeated reports and festivals like UFO Daze or UFO Days.

More recent publicized sightings include orbs and lights over Lake Michigan in 2002 (Sheboygan) and various 2020s reports, but historical ones remain the most discussed.

Using data from NUFORC, which tracks over 2,500 UFO reports in Wisconsin since 1947 (with a surge of 74 in 2025 alone), sightings are concentrated in populous areas.

Per capita, Wisconsin ranks above neighboring states at about 4.32 sightings per 10,000 people.

Smaller towns like Manitowoc (4 reports in 2025) and Superior see occasional spikes, often near Lake Michigan or Superior.

Population density influences totals, but rural areas like Elmwood and Dundee report clusters tied to specific events.

For the latest, NUFORC’s database shows ongoing activity, including orbs and triangles in 2025-26.