Public Hearing on Lake Superior Emergency Rule Feb. 12
Contact(s): Brad Ray, Lake Superior Fisheries Team Supervisor, 715-779-4036, Bradley.Ray@wisconsin.gov
January 30, 2020 at 2:23:58 pm
ASHLAND, Wis. - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff will hold a public hearing starting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 regarding a recently adopted Lake Superior commercial fishing emergency rule.
The hearing will take place at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Hwy G, Ashland, WI 54806.
The emergency rule is effective as of Dec. 30, 2019, and department staff will bring the permanent rule to the Natural Resources Board in the next few months. An emergency rule hearing after the effective date is required by Wisconsin law.
"This emergency rule is designed to continue the implementation of the changes discussed with hearings and meetings during 2019," said DNR Lake Superior Fisheries Supervisor Bradley Ray. "We will continue to rely on sound biological principles for managing the Lake Superior fishery as this rule is implemented."
The rule implements portions of the 2018 - 2028 Lake Superior Fishing Agreement, which is an agreement between the state of Wisconsin and the Red Cliff and Bad River bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa tribes.
This is a similar rule to the emergency rule in place last year. A second emergency rule is needed to maintain continuity of rules while a permanent rule is under review.
The rule maintains the updates from the previous emergency rule in regards to:
- Total allowable commercial harvest for lake trout,
- Requirements for using and marking nets and other gear,
- Modification of certain areas in which commercial fishing is allowed, and;
- Minor revisions to harvest reporting requirements and the timeframe for returning unused trout tags.
Members of the public may also submit comments via email to Meredith.penthorn@wisconsin.gov or U.S. mail to the Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Meredith Penthorn, P.O. Box 7921, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707-7921 through Feb. 12, 2020.
Learn more about Lake Superior fisheries here.