Data have shown that Wisconsin anglers could harvest around 82,000 lake trout and not jeopardize the chances for lake trout rehabilitation in Lake Michigan, and harvest levels from 2017 to 2020 are comfortably below that level. Over the last 20 years, Wisconsin anglers have consistently harvested very low numbers of lake trout, averaging only 23,722 fish per year. In the last four years, lake trout harvest has been trending upward, but still remains very sustainable.
The department collects information on chartered fishing trips through reporting, and in 2020, 21,456 lake trout were harvest across 11,353 chartered trips. Only 332 of these trips resulted in angler harvest of more than two lake trout per person, representing 2.92% of the total trips. The average number of lake trout harvested per person across all trips is 0.40, and 0.74 when at least one lake trout was harvested. Almost half of the 2020 chartered fishing trips—46.6% or 5,292 trips—resulted in no lake trout harvest at all.
While recreational lake trout harvest is not detrimental to the lake trout population and benefits anglers, it also impacts populations of highly desirable salmon. The department recently increased the number of chinook salmon stocked into Lake Michigan at the request of anglers and charter businesses. The increased number of chinook salmon present in this put-grow-take fishery will further pressure the alewife prey base shared between lake trout and non-native salmonids. This rule focuses on lake trout in order to balance management options among species that prey on alewives.
10. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report:
Because of the increased bag limit and longer season, the rule is expected to have a positive economic impact on recreational angling businesses, including fishing guides and charter fishing businesses. This impact is expected to be minimal because prior to January 2021, these regulations were already in effect—therefore, restoring them will maintain excellent fishing opportunities for lake trout and angler spending at Lake Michigan businesses.
Lake trout are one component of the diverse Lake Michigan sport fishery, and providing additional opportunities to harvest them has benefitted anglers, charter businesses, and associated businesses, including those that may also be targeting other species. A higher bag limit for lake trout allows anglers to take home fish if they have limited success in their efforts to catch other species.
Each year, Wisconsin’s Great Lakes fishing opportunities draw at least 178,000 anglers (as measured by the sale of the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout stamp) who spend more than 1.2 million days fishing. According to the American Sport Fishing Association, these anglers contribute $114.3 million to the economy through direct retail expenditures and generate more than $12.5 million in state and local tax revenue.
11. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis):
Because of the higher bag limit and longer season, the rule is expected to have a positive economic impact on recreational angling businesses, including fishing guides and charter fishing businesses.
The rule is necessary in order to ensure a sustainable lake trout fishery over the long-term that provides an economic and natural resource benefit for all affected. The rule does not impose any compliance or reporting requirements nor would any design or operational standards be contained in the rule.
12. Agency Contact Person: Bradley Eggold, Great Lakes District Supervisor; Bradley.Eggold@wisconsin.gov, 414-303-0138
13. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings, by regular mail, or email to:
Meredith Penthorn
Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53704
Comments may be submitted to the department contact person listed above or to DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov until the deadline given in the upcoming notice of public hearing. The notice of public hearing and deadline for submitting comments will be published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register and on the department’s website, at https://dnr.wi.gov/calendar/hearings/. Comments may also be submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Website at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/chr/active.
RULE TEXT
Section 1   NR 20.20 (73) (n) 2. and 3. are amended to read:
COUNTY AND
SPECIES
WATERS
AUTHORIZED METHODS
OPEN SEASON
(both dates

inclusive)
DAILY BAG LIMIT
MINIMUM LENGTH OR OTHER SIZE RESTRICTIONS (INCHES)
(73)   SPECIES OR WATERS NOT LISTED IN SUBS. (1) TO (72)
(n) Trout and salmon
2. Green Bay, major Green Bay tributaries, all other waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Michigan tributaries
a. Hook and line
Continuous except that beginning in 2021 the open season for lake trout is March 1 to October 31
5 in total except that beginning in 2021 only 2 may be lake trout
10
3. All other tributary streams, rivers and ditches to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake
a. Hook and line
First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March
5 in total except that beginning in 2021 only 2 may be lake trout
10
Section 2. Effective Date. This rule takes effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register as provided in s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.
Section 3. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on October 27, 2021.
Dated at Madison, Wisconsin _____________________________.
        STATE OF WISCONSIN    
          DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES                
          BY ______________________________________
            For Preston D. Cole, Secretary
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Links to Admin. Code and Statutes in this Register are to current versions, which may not be the version that was referred to in the original published document.