Expanded Lake Michigan lake trout harvest opportunities set to take effect April 15
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=4218
MADISON, Wis. - Expanded lake trout harvest opportunities will take effect
Saturday, April 15 in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan thanks to an
emergency rule approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.
The rule takes into account current lake trout populations including the
reestablishment of natural reproduction in some refuge areas and is not
expected to affect long-term restoration efforts, said Brad Eggold, Great
Lakes district fisheries supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources. The new five fish daily bag limit was developed following an
extensive angler engagement process that included seven public meetings with
total attendance of 500.
"Based on the comments from our stakeholders, we believe increasing the
daily bag limit from two to five lake trout will create welcome new
recreational opportunities while also addressing concerns about the ratio of
predators to prey in the lake," Eggold said. Other provisions of the new
rule:
* Count the five fish daily lake trout limit as part of the overall
five trout and salmon combined daily bag limit.
* Maintain closure of refuges, which are supporting some natural
reproduction.
* Offer a continuous open season in 2017.
* Maintain the commitment to lake-wide lake trout restoration and
promotion of a diverse salmon and trout fishery through continued assessment
of lake trout restoration goals and management actions.
"To ensure the new rule supports long-term restoration goals for lake trout,
DNR intends to monitor the harvest throughout the duration of the emergency
rule and develop a permanent rule," Eggold said.
During 2016, the Lake Michigan lake trout harvest totaled 19,137 fish, down
46 percent from 35,715 in 2015. The lake trout sport harvest has remained at
or below levels considered necessary for recovery of the species since 1998.
While pursuit of lake trout may not be the primary motivator for anglers who
head out with their own equipment or hire charters on Lake Michigan, the
opportunity to catch more lake trout including the possibility of a trophy
fish is likely to generate additional interest in the prized fishery. Each
year, Wisconsin's Great Lakes fishing opportunities draw some 178,000
anglers (as measured by the sale of the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout stamp)
who contribute $114.3 million to the economy, according to the American
Sportfishing Association.
DNR will hold a combined public hearing on the emergency rule and gather
additional information for a permanent rule at a public hearing set for June
22 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the ballroom at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater
Sciences, 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204. Written comments can
be sent to DNRLAKEMICHIGANPLAN@wisconsin.gov or mailed to: Brad Eggold,
Department of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Water Institute, 600 E.
Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204. The deadline for comments is July 7,
2017.
The initial emergency rule will run 150 days with two expected 60 day
extensions for a total of 270 days. For 2017, the new bag limit will
therefore be in effect until December 31, 2017. The department intends to
seek a permanent rule that would take effect as soon as possible upon
expiration of the emergency rule extensions.
To view a recent presentation on Lake Michigan lake trout that informed
development of the rule, visit dnr.wi.gov <http://dnr.wi.gov/> and search
"Lake Michigan Fisheries Forum
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/lakemichiganfisheriesforum.htm
l> ." For more information including recent presentations on broader Lake
Michigan management topics, search "Lake Michigan salmon and trout meetings
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/lakemichigan/LakeMichiganSalmonandTroutMeet
ings.html> ."
Get your license and Go Wild!
Anglers are reminded that the new license year began April 1 for waters or
species with a continuous open season. Licenses and stamps for the 2017 year
are on sale now through GoWild.Wi.Gov <https://gowild.wi.gov/> . Fees for
the 2017 license year remain the same as last year.
Anglers fishing Lake Michigan and all other Wisconsin boundary waters are
again reminded they must possess a paper copy of their license to be legal.
The paper printouts are required so law enforcement officials in the
surrounding states can verify compliance with license and stamp regulations.
More information about length and bag limits as well as places to fish can
be found on the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov <http://dnr.wi.gov/> by searching
"Fishing Regulations <http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/> ."
________________________________________________________________________
DNR Office of Communications. DNR Spokesperson: Jim Dick, 608-267-2773
We are committed to service excellence.
Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/customersurvey to evaluate how I did.
Jennifer Sereno
Strategic Communications Manager
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 770-8084
Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov