The Fifth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 14, 1852, to April 19, 1852, in regular session.

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

Assemblymembers were elected to a one-year term.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 5, 1850.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Whig Leonard J. Farwell, of Dane County, serving the first year of a two-year term, having won election in the 1851 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.