DNR: Extended trout season lures anglers for fall fishing
MADISON, Wis. - While state forests may be showing off their brightly
colored fall foliage these days, many Wisconsin trout anglers will be
setting their sights on rainbows, browns and the multi-hued spots of brook
trout this year.
Thanks to the feedback and support from trout anglers statewide, for the
first time this fall, the trout fishing season on inland streams and
connected springs has been extended to Oct. 15 from the Sept. 30 closure of
previous years. The expanded fall harvest period joins an extended catch and
release season that now starts the first Saturday in January and runs
through the Friday preceding the first Saturday in May.
Joanna Griffin, trout coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, said the expanded fishing opportunities, simplified rules and new
online TROUT tool <http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/trout/TROUT.html> to
help anglers find places to fish result from growing recognition of the
importance of trout fishing to local communities statewide.
"Healthy trout streams draw anglers from a broader region into communities,"
Griffin said. "We know many anglers enjoyed the opportunity to get out this
spring for the early catch and release season and we hope they'll also spend
some time visiting our world-class trout waters this fall."
Shared efforts by property owners, angling groups such as Trout Unlimited
and DNR have contributed to very real improvements in Wisconsin's current
13,232 miles of trout streams. About 40 percent or 5,289 miles of the
state's trout streams carry the coveted Class 1 designation, meaning these
streams sustain healthy populations of wild trout through natural
reproduction and require no stocking. Brook trout are native to Wisconsin
and DNR also stocks rainbow and brown trout.
Heath Benike, a DNR fisheries supervisor based in Eau Claire, said trout
populations in Western Wisconsin are strong at this time, providing anglers
with ample opportunities throughout the Driftless Area this fall. Anglers
who haven't visited the area recently also may want to check out some of the
important habitat improvements that have taken place.
"DNR habitat restoration crews were able to complete numerous stream
restoration projects this field season," Benike said. "Anglers who want to
check out these areas should venture to Gilbert and Sand Creeks in Dunn
County, Fall Creek in Pepin County, Swinns Valley Creek in Buffalo County,
Beaver Creek in Trempealeau County and Spring Coulee, Weister and Tainter
Creeks in the LaCrosse Area."
The northeast region of the state also promises some great fall fishing.
Mike Donofrio, a DNR fisheries supervisor based in Peshtigo who covers the
northeast region, said this year's wet weather has been a boon for fish in
the rivers of his region.
"Trout populations are doing well in the six county region here in
northeastern Wisconsin and I think anglers are excited about the additional
opportunities related to the extended season," Donofrio said. At the same
time, the simplified rules put in place this year also may be encouraging
anglers to participate.
Comments collected as part of an extensive review of inland trout fishing
regulations launched in 2011 showed anglers were interested in more quality
fishing opportunities, less confusing regulations and fewer special
regulations. The resulting new, simplified system, features maps online and
in the trout regulation pamphlet
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/TroutRegs.html> that indicate
one of three regulations:
* Green means go fish, with no length limit, a bag limit of five fish
and no bait restrictions;
* Yellow means caution, with an 8inch length limit, a bag limit of
three fish and no bait restrictions; and
* Red means special regulations are in place. Anglers are advised to
stop and understand the regulations before fishing.
In addition to a resident or nonresident general fishing license, trout
anglers need to purchase an inland trout stamp or Great Lakes salmon and
trout stamp. Licenses are available through more than 1,000 vendors
statewide or online by visiting GoWild.wi.gov <https://gowild.wi.gov/> . To
learn more about the regulations, visit dnr.wi.gov <http://dnr.wi.gov/> and
search "trout review
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/outreach/TroutRegReview.html> ." To learn
more about trout fishing, visit "Fishing Wisconsin: Inland Trout Fishing
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/trout/> ."