DNR Fisheries Bureau Director Ron Bruch retires; will continue on key projects
MADISON - From managing the successful Lake Winnebago sturgeon fishery to
overseeing implementation of the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, Ron Bruch's
work with the Department of Natural Resources has created numerous benefits
for anglers while improving fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state.
A 38-year veteran of DNR who started with the department as a creel census
clerk, Bruch served as a consistent advocate for citizen involvement in
management of Wisconsin's natural resources. His retirement, due to health
reasons, follows a career notable for its success in finding common ground
among recreational, commercial and tribal interests.
Both in his official capacity at DNR and through his personal leadership in
founding the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society, Bruch has
established partnerships and programs that will sustain the state's
world-class fishing opportunities for years to come.
"We are extremely grateful for all Ron Bruch has done to strengthen the
department's relationships with citizens and stakeholders," said DNR
Secretary Cathy Stepp. "He has a unique ability to bring together passionate
people for the betterment of everyone. Ron's deep knowledge of our treasured
fisheries and appreciation for the connection between the environment and
economy have served our state well."
Bruch, 61, was named fisheries bureau director in May 2014 and had
anticipated working for several more years to advance the fishery program's
recently updated strategic plan. He now intends to volunteer his time on a
number of key projects under a reduced schedule.
"I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding career and I've been especially
glad to work under the Stepp administration," Bruch said. "It will be a
pleasure to continue contributing to a few projects including wrapping up
new statewide fish passage policies and procedures and completing the Lake
Michigan Integrated Fisheries Management Plan. These projects and numerous
others we have been working on offer significant economic and social
benefits while conserving and improving our fisheries and aquatic
resources."
Bruch leaves the department during a time of continued success, as
Wisconsin's fisheries management program and state fishing traditions remain
strong. The state ranks third nationally as a destination for anglers and
sport fishing generates $2.3 billion in economic benefits every year while
supporting 22,000 jobs and contributing $148.7 million in state and local
tax revenues, according to the American Sportfishing Association.
Through the years, Bruch's career covered work as a habitat technician,
fisheries biologist, supervisor and fisheries bureau section chief. Prior to
his appointment as bureau director, he served as statewide planning
coordinator for the fisheries team, working on projects including the
Wisconsin Walleye Initiative plan to boost walleye populations statewide.
Although his assignments included oversight of the Great Lakes as well as
the state's inland waters, Bruch remains best known for his work with
sturgeon starting in 1986 as a senior fisheries biologist on the Winnebago
system. In that role, he led assessment and public engagement efforts that
helped establish the lake sturgeon population as one of the largest in the
world and capable of supporting a unique winter spearing season.
Much as he looked after the long-lived sturgeon, Bruch also took care to
develop the capacity of the bureau's 226 staff members, whose
responsibilities range from fish propagation at the state's hatcheries,
rearing stations and spawning facilities to habitat improvements and
fisheries research.
Bruch's academic background includes research on sturgeon and deep water
sculpin; he holds doctorate and master's degrees from the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point. He has
authored or co-authored numerous papers for peer-reviewed scientific
publications as well as the 11-time national award winning book "People of
the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish" (Wisconsin
Historical Society Press, 2009).
In addition to serving as co-founder and president of the North American
Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society, he is co-founder and treasurer/secretary of
the World Sturgeon Conservation Society and a member of the editorial board
of the Journal of Applied Ichthyology.
Bruch's family has roots in the Milwaukee area where his father operated a
construction business and in Butternut in Ashland County where a cabin and
forest lands will now occupy more of his attention. He and his wife Kathy
reside in the Oshkosh area and have two married children and four grandsons.
A transitional leadership plan for DNR's Bureau of Fisheries Management will
be followed by a national search for Bruch's successor.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Justine Hasz, DNR fisheries services section
chief, 715-896-9558,
Justine.Hasz@wisconsin.gov<mailto:Justine.Hasz@wisconsin.gov>; Jennifer
Sereno, DNR communications, 608-770-8084, Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov