Please review and give thoughtful consideration to all of the following Wisconsin fishing and hunting proposals – even the ones that you don’t believe will directly impact you. This is our chance to influence the regulations we all as sportsmen & women, have to live with and abide by.
Department of Natural Resources Annual Spring Fish & Wildlife Public Hearing & Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring County Conservation Meeting will be held on April 8 at 7:00p.m.
The complete public notice with all proposed changes can be found here: http://dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc/documents/spring_hearing/2013/2013springquestionnairefinal.pdf
(also see location for your county below:)
Two of the proposed items to vote on and that I ask for you to consider supporting are:
1. Allow trolling on all inland waters
2. to make permanent the “Slot Limit” on the Wisconsin River upstream from the Prairie du Sac dam.
BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress will hold its election of county delegates in each county. Upon completion of the delegate elections, the joint Spring Department of Natural Resources Rules Hearing and Conservation Congress Meeting will convene to take comments on the Department’s proposed rule changes and Conservation Congress advisory questions.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department of Natural Resources will take public input on proposed rule changes relating to fishing on the inland, outlying, and boundary waters of Wisconsin. The proposed rules will:
BEFORE THE
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress will hold its election of county delegates in each county. Upon completion of the delegate elections, the joint Spring Department of Natural Resources Rules Hearing and Conservation Congress Meeting will convene to take comments on the Department’s proposed rule changes and Conservation Congress advisory questions.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department of Natural Resources will take public input on proposed rule changes relating to fishing on the inland, outlying, and boundary waters of Wisconsin. The proposed rules will:
> Allow fishing by the method of trolling on all inland waters with up to three hooks, baits, or lures.
> Allow rough fish to be taken by hand year round or by handheld spear from June 1 to August 31, where spearing is allowed, on inland waters within 200 feet of a fishway, lock, or dam.
> Alter the hours to legally spear sturgeon on lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Winneconne, and Poygan from 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM to 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and change the daily deadline for sturgeon spearers to register their fish from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM.
> Make permanent a protected slot limit regulation on walleye, sauger, and hybrids where there is a daily bag limit of 5 fish and the minimum length is 15 inches, but fish from 20 to 28 inches may not be kept and only 1 fish over 28 inches is allowed on the Wisconsin River north of the Prairie du Sac Dam in Columbia County up to the Grandfather Dam in Lincoln County and several of its tributaries. The season is open year round. The regulation would also be applied to the Big Rib River downstream from Highway 29, Peplin Creek, Johnson Creek, Little Eau Claire River, and Little Eau Pleine River in Marathon County; and the Little Eau Claire River and the Little Eau Pleine River in Portage County under this proposal, but the season would only be open from the first Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March.
> Remove the Northern Bass Management Zone early catch and release season for largemouth bass and allow their harvest under existing size and bag limits. Smallmouth bass must be immediately released during the early catch and release season.
> Simplify rough fish spearing season dates on inland waters statewide by opening most waters in all but 9 northern counties to rough fish spearing year-round. All Lake Winnebago System waters will have an April 21 to February 1 open season.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 1 fish and a 28-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Silver Lake, Barron County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 2 fish and a 26-inch minimum length limit on northern pike on Diamond Lake, Bayfield County.
> Apply a 3-fish daily bag limit and 18-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger and hybrids; a 1-fish daily bag limit and 18-inch minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass; and a 1-fish daily bag limit and a 32-inch minimum length limit on northern pike on Park Lake and the Fox River upstream to the Highway 33 bridge.
> Designate Token Creek Ponds and Syene Ponds in Dane County, Lions Park Pond in Rock County, and Lapham Peak Pond in Waukesha County as urban fishing waters.
> Make permanent a daily bag limit of 3 fish and an 18-inch minimum length limit for walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Beaver Dam Lake and its tributaries, including Mill Creek from the mouth upstream to the Fox Lake dam and all portions of Beaver Creek in Dodge County.
> Apply a 5-fish daily bag limit and no minimum length limit, with only 1 fish over 14 inches allowed, to walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Minong Flowage, Douglas and Washburn counties.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 3 fish and an 18-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Lake Nebagamon, Douglas County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 3 fish and no minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass, however all bass from 14 to 18 inches must be released and only 1 fish greater than 18 inches is allowed, in Half Moon Lake, Eau Claire County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 5 fish and a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger, and hybrids in Patten Lake, Florence County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 3 fish and no minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass, however all bass from 14 to 18 inches must be released and only 1 fish greater than 18 inches is allowed in Trump Lake, Forest County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 5 fish and no minimum length limit for northern pike on Lake Six in Iron County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 5 fish and a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Sandy Beach Lake, Iron County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 10 fish and no minimum length limit on catfish and open the catfish season year round in Yellowstone Lake, Lafayette County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 1 fish and an 18-inch minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as a 1-fish daily bag limit and 32-inch minimum length limit on northern pike in Lake Tomah.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 25 fish and no minimum length limit for panfish on Thompson Lake, Pepin County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 5 fish and no minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass on Balsam Lake, Polk County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 5 fish and no minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass and a daily bag limit of 3 fish and 18-inch minimum length limit on walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Big Chetac Lake, Sawyer County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 3 fish and no minimum length limit on largemouth and smallmouth bass, however all bass from 14 to 18 inches must be released and only 1 fish greater than 18 inches is allowed on Bass Lake, St. Croix County.
> Make permanent the current 1-fish daily bag limit and 18-inch minimum length limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass and change the daily bag limit to 3 fish and the minimum length limit to 18-inches for walleye, sauger, and hybrids on Sparkling Lake, Vilas County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 10 fish for panfish on Little Hills Lake, Waushara County.
> Apply a daily bag limit of 1 fish and a 54-inch minimum length limit on muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and its tributaries north of Waldo Boulevard (in Manitowoc) and the Menominee River upstream to the Hattie Street Dam.
> Allow the Department to make explicit, temporary changes to length or bag limits under certain conditions using a legally defined public notice process, a public information meeting if requested, and posting notice of the regulation change at public access sites to the water.
> Allow the Department to adjust bag and length limits for walleye or muskellunge in the ceded territory in response to actual tribal harvest, rather than currently waiting until after the third Monday in May.
> Prohibit the use of lead tackle that is less than 1-inch in diameter or less than 1-ounce in weight on Escanaba, Nebish, and Pallette lakes in Vilas County.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department of Natural Resources will take public input on proposed rule changes relating to hunting, trapping, and the management of Department lands. The proposed rules will:
> Simplify firearm deer hunting regulations by allowing the use of rifles statewide. Currently, only shotguns, muzzleloaders and handguns may be used in some areas. These sections also make housekeeping updates in response to 2011 ACT 50 which prohibited certain firearm deer seasons from being held prior to the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday.
> Simplify pheasant hunting regulations by eliminating the requirement to tag harvested birds at stocked hen/rooster pheasant hunting areas. Field dressed carcasses of pheasants would need to retain proof of species and sex identification while being transported, similar to current requirements for migratory game birds.
> Simplify mink and muskrat trapping regulations by creating more consistent opening dates throughout the state.
> Establish that hunting hours apply to people who are training bear hunting dogs at times when the bear hunting season is also open. Under 2011 ACT 28, bear dog training is now allowed during the open season for hunting bears with dogs.
> Establish a four-day trap check requirement, instead of a daily requirement, for certain types of traps placed for weasels.
> Require reporting the harvest of otter and fisher within 24 hours.
> Establish that, in addition to collecting certain food items, it is also legal to cut and gather willow stakes on Department managed lands for non-commercial uses. Willow stakes are often used by trappers for trap stakes and marking trap set locations. A person will need first obtain permission from the property manager before cutting and removing such willow stems.
> Allow the unattended, overnight placement of portable stands and blinds on Department owned and managed lands from September 1 through January 31.
> Eliminate the refuge/closed area at Mecan Springs, Waushara County, as recommended in voting by the Conservation Congress in 2012.
> Simplify regulations for pheasant hunters at Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County by eliminating the arm band requirement for pheasant hunters.
> Establish a controlled dove hunt at Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County in order to improve hunter satisfaction by reducing hunter interference.
> Increase the daily pheasant hunting fee at Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County from $3.00 to $12.00 ($5.00 if stocking did not occur on that day) because the current fee is not sufficient to cover the cost of this stocking program.
> Expand the area where rifles are allowed for firearm deer hunting in Outagamie and Shawano Counties.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to ss. 227.114 and 227.137, Wis. Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rules will have an economic impact on small businesses. The Department conducted economic impact analyses in consultation with businesses, business associations, local governmental units, and individuals. The Department has determined that these rules would have no impact on the economy in a material way, a sector of the economy, productivity, jobs, or the overall economic competitiveness of this state. The Department’s Small Business Regulatory Coordinator may be contacted at [email protected] or by calling (608) 266-1959.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department’s consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
Adams
Adams County Courthouse, County Board
Room A230, 400 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934
Ashland
Ashland County Court House, 201 Main Street West, Ashland, WI 54806
Barron
Barron Government Center, Auditorium, 303E. LaSalle Ave., Barron,WI 54812
Bayfield
Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, 117 E. 5thStreet, Washburn, WI 54891
Brown
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (SC132), 2740 W. Mason St., Green Bay, WI 54313
Buffalo
Alma High School,Gymnasium, S1618 STH 35, Alma, WI 54610
Burnett
Burnett County Government Center, Room 165, 7410 County Road K, Siren, WI 54872
Calumet
Calumet County Courthouse, Rm. B025, 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014
Chippewa
Chippewa Falls Middle School, 750 Tropicana Blvd., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Clark
Greenwood High School, 306 W. Central Ave., Greenwood, WI 54437
Columbia
Wayne E. Bartels Middle School,Gymnasium, 2505 New Pinery Rd., Portage, WI 53901
Crawford
Prairiedu Chien High School, Auditorium, 800 E. Crawford St., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Dane
Sun Prairie High School, Performing Arts Center, 888 Grove St., Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Dodge
Horicon International Education Center, Lower Level Auditorium, N7725 STH 28, Horicon, WI 53032
Door
Sturgeon Bay High School, 1230 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI54235
Douglas
Superior Senior High School,Cafeteria, 2600 Catlin Ave., Superior, WI 54880
Dunn
Dunn County Fish and Game Club, 1600 PineAve., Menomonie, WI 54751
Eau Claire
CVTC Business Education Center, Auditorium, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54701
Florence
Florence Natural Resource Center,Basement Conference Rm.,
5631 Forestry Dr., Florence, WI 54121
Fond du Lac
Theisen Middle School, 525 EPioneer Rd., Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Forest
Crandon High School, Auditorium,9750 US HWY 8 West, Crandon, WI 54520
Grant
Lancaster High School, Auditorium, 806 East Elm Street, Lancaster, WI 53813
Green
Monroe Middle School, 151013th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566
Green Lake
Green Lake High School, Small Gym, 612 Mill St., Green Lake, WI 54941
Iowa
Dodgeville High School,Gymnasium, 912 Chapel Street, Dodgeville, WI 53533
Iron
Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite Street, Hurley, WI 54534
Jackson
Black River Falls Middle School, LGI Room, 1202 Pierce Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615
Jefferson
Jefferson County Fair Park, Activity Center, 503 N. Jackson, Jefferson, WI 52549
Juneau
Olson Middle School, Auditorium, 508 Grayside Avenue, Mauston, WI 53948
Kenosha
Bristol Elementary School, Gymnasium, 20121 83rd Street, Bristol, WI 53104
Kewaunee
Kewaunee High School, Auditorium, 911 Third Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216
La Crosse
Onalaska High School, Auditorium,700 Hilltopper Place, Onalaska, WI 54650
Lafayette
Darlington Elementary School, 11630 Center Hill Road, Darlington, WI 53530
Langlade
Antigo High School, Volm Theater, 1900 10th Ave., Antigo, WI 54409
Lincoln
Tomahawk High School, Field House, 1048 E. Kings Road, Tomahawk, WI 54487
Manitowoc
UW-Manitowoc, Auditorium, 705 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Marathon
D.C. Everest Middle School, Auditorium, 9302 Schofield Avenue, Weston, WI 54476
Marinette
Wausaukee School, N11041 Highway 141, Wausaukee, WI 54177
Marquette
Montello High School, Community Room, 222 Forest Lane, Montello, WI 53949
Menominee
Menominee County Courthouse, W3269 Courthouse Lane, Keshena, WI 54135
Milwaukee
Nathan Hale High School, Auditorium, 11601 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis, WI 53227
Monroe
Tomah High School, Cafeteria, 901 Lincoln Ave., Tomah, WI 54660
Oconto
Suring High School, Cafeteria, 411 E Algoma St., Suring, WI 54174
Oneida
James Williams Middle School, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander, WI 54501
Outagamie
Appleton North High School, 5000 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54913
Ozaukee
Webster Middle School, Commons, W75 N624 Wauwatosa Rd., Cedarburg, WI 53012
Pepin
Pepin County Government Center, County Board Room, 740 7th Ave. West, Durand, WI 54736
Pierce
Ellsworth Senior High School, Auditorium, 323 Hillcrest, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Polk
Unity High School, Auditorium,1908 150th St.Hwy 46, Balsam Lake, WI 54810
Portage
Ben Franklin Junior High School, Auditorium, 2000 Polk St., Stevens Point, WI 54481
Price
Price County Courthouse,Board Room, 126 Cherry St., Phillips, WI 54555
Racine
Union Grove High School, 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove, WI 53182
Richland
Richland County Courthouse, Upstairs Courtroom, 181 West Seminary, Richland Center, WI 53581
Rock
Milton High School, Auditorium, 114 W. High Street, Milton, WI 53563
Rusk
Ladysmith High School, Auditorium, 1700 E. Edgewood Ave., Ladysmith, WI 54848
Saint Croix
St Croix Central High School, Commons, 1751 Broadway St., Hammond, WI 54015
Sauk
UW Baraboo Campus, Lecture Hall A-4, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, WI 53913
Sawyer
Hayward High School, 10320 N. Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI 54843
Shawano
Shawano Middle School, LGI Room, 1050 S. Union St., Shawano, WI 5416611
Sheboygan
Plymouth High School, Auditorium, 125 Highland Ave., Plymouth, WI 53073
Taylor
Multi-purpose building, Hwy 64/ Hwy 13, Medford, WI 54451
Trempealeau
Whitehall City Center, 18620 Hobson St., Whitehall, WI 54773
Vernon
Viroqua High School, Commons Area, 100 Blackhawk Drive, Viroqua, WI 54665
Vilas
St.Germain Elementary School, Gymnasium, 8234 Hwy 70 West, Saint Germain WI 54558
Walworth
Delavan-Darien High School, 150 Cummings St., Delavan, WI 53115
Washburn
Spooner High School, Auditorium, 801 County Highway A, Spooner, WI 54801
Washington
Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Cty Hwy PV, West Bend, WI 53095
Waukesha
Waukesha Co. Tech. College, Richard Anderson Ed. Center, 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072
Waupaca
Waupaca High School, PAC-Auditorium, E2325 King Road, Waupaca, WI 54981
Waushara
Waushara County Courthouse, County Board Rm. 265, 209 S. St. Marie St., Wautoma, WI 54982
Winnebago
Webster Stanley Middle School, Auditorium, 915 Hazel Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Wood
Pittsville School District Administrative Bldg., Auditorium, 5459 Elementary Ave., Pittsville, WI 54466
