The Sixteenth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 14, 1863, to April 2, 1863, in regular session.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term.

Assembly members were elected to a one-year term.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 5, 1861.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican Edward Salomon, of Manitowoc County, serving the second year of a two-year term, having won the 1861 lieutenant gubernatorial election, then having ascended to the gubernatorial office following the death of governor Louis P. Harvey in April 1862.