Following additional monitoring, which has revealed that the adult walleye population has reached target goals in the chain, stakeholder and partner feedback and GLIFWC involvement have expressed support for opening the fishery to limited harvest. The fishery will be monitored closely following implementation of this rule change through creel surveys and fall electrofishing, followed by a chain-wide comprehensive survey in 2025, to ensure that harvest is not detrimental to walleye recovery efforts.
9. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report:
The department anticipates a minimal economic impact, if any, as a result of this rule. Because this rule will allow limited harvest after several years of catch-and-release-only fishing, local anglers and businesses are not anticipated to experience any negative economic impacts, and may experience a slight economic benefit from the rehabilitated fishery.
10. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis):
This rule will mainly affect individual anglers and will not impose implementation or compliance costs on small businesses. This rule applies a limited harvest regulation that may benefit anglers and fishing-related businesses.
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings, by regular mail, fax or email to:
Meredith Penthorn
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921
Section 1 NR 20.20 (44) (g) 3. is amended to read:
County and Species | Waters | Authorized Methods | Open Season (both dates inclusive) | Daily bag limit | Minimum Length or Other Size Restrictions (Inches) |
(44) ONEIDA (For species or waters not listed, see sub. (73)). |
(g) Walleye, sauger and hybrids | 3. Minocqua chain (Jerome lake, Kawaguesaga lake, Mid lake, Minocqua lake, Mud lake, Minocqua thoroughfare, Tomahawk thoroughfare, Little Tomahawk lake, Tomahawk lake, and connecting waters combined) | a. Hook and line | First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March | 0, catch and release only, until April 1, 2020, when it becomes 2 in total 1 in total | On April 1, 2020, the size limit becomes 18 except the possession of fish between 22 and 28 is prohibited and only one fish may be longer than 28 |
Section 2. Effective Date. This rule shall take effect on June 1, 2021.
Section 3. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on [DATE].
