Who would have thought there was a Catfish “Workshop” group in WI?
I spoke with Ben Heussner of the WIDNR today and in fact he is a member of this very group.
If you fish any WI waters his group is looking for your opinions on cat fishing in general and specifically, the 25 fish daily limit on the MN/WI border waters along with closing the winter dormant months for flatheads.
The email can be as simple as below or you can go into as much detail as you like.
WI DNR Catfish Group,
I’m for/against lowering the flathead limits in WI.
I’m for/against closing the flathead season in the winter months.
Send them to:
Benjamin Heussner
Fisheries Biologist – Water Division
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
S91W39091 Hwy 59, Eagle WI 53119
Phone: (414) 303-0109
[email protected]
**************************************************************
Flathead Catfish Limits on the Mississippi Border Waters (25)
If a I were to catch a daily limit of Flathead Catfish (25) and each fish was 10 pounds which is very hard to catch that many small ones, I would have 250 pounds of fish.
Generally 1/3 of that weight will be consumable fish or 83 pounds/1328 oz.
The WI Fish consumption advisory lists 1 meal per month for males and females over 50.
The Food and Drug Administration list 3-5 oz as a portion of fish.
Let’s use 10 oz because most people would say 3-5 oz is too small.
Using the above info, a one day limit would feed that person for 11 years or a family of 5 for 2.2 years.
WI has protected Flathead catfish from excessive harvest in other bodies of water but left the excessive limits in place for the Mississippi border waters.
In-Land Waters: 10
Lac LaBelle: There is a closed season. (for rough fish control)
Winnabago: Only 1 Flathead
St Louis and St Croix Rivers:10
************
Closed Flathead Wintering Season-
Please take the time to review these couple videos and the link to a paper completed by the University of Connecticut.
Flatheads and dead shad in winter~
Flatheads and live suckers in winter~
http://www.brianksworld.com/images/Bourretetal.2008.JFE.MaxDailyConsump.pdf
I think Ben’s statement in his PowerPoint Presentation on Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection hits the nail on the head. “We need to use the best available science to support management decisions“. I was happy to hear another biologist agreed there’s plenty of documentation dormant flats do not feed in the wintering month.
Whatever side of the fence your on, please shoot Ben a quick email. Thank You!
