Notice of Hearing
_Hlk78190518The Department of Natural Resources announces that it will hold a public hearing on a permanent rule to revise chs. NR 20, 21, 22, and 23 relating to the possession limits for various fish species, at the time and place shown below. Hearing Information
Date: August 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Meeting ID: 210 224 119 303 47
Passcode: H4To9qg3
Dial in by phone
Phone conference ID: 293 685 03#
Rule Information:
This rule evaluates statewide fish possession limits and improves consistency in interpretation of possession limits between the boundary waters between Wisconsin and neighboring states and the inland and outlying waters. The current rules are ambiguous as to whether boundary water possession limits and inland water possession limits can be reached simultaneously allowing anglers to possess fish in excess of each respective limit based on where the fish were harvested. The possession limits established for the inland waters do not account for the higher daily bag limits established for some species on the boundary waters, leading to uncertainty as to which possession limits apply when an angler fishes both inland and boundary waters. This rule adjusts the possession limits to apply to all inland, outlying and boundary waters to account for the varying daily bag limits across the state while continuing to protect fish populations.
Current rules are also unclear about whether boundary water possession limits apply to each waterbody or to the boundary waters overall. The current possession limit language in chs. NR 21 to 23 does not specify whether the possession limits apply to each boundary water in its entirety or to each subunit of a boundary water that is managed separately from other subunits (such as the different pools of the Mississippi River). This rule updates the description of possession limits so that it is clear that the possession limit for each specific species applies to all fish of that species harvested from all Wisconsin waterbodies collectively. In addition, this rule simplifies regulations by eliminating the total daily bag limit and allowance for the possession limit to be twice the daily bag limit. The rule clarifies that each waterbody has a daily bag limit and each species has a possession limit, and there are no other variances of those respective restrictions to confuse anglers.
Accessibility
For the hearing or visually impaired, non-English speakers, or those with other personal circumstances which might make communication at the meeting/hearing difficult, DNR will, to the maximum extent possible and with reasonable advance notice, provide aids including an interpreter, or a non-English, large-print, or recorded version of hearing documents. To access these resources, please contact the email address or phone number listed below as soon as possible.
Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments:
Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before August 19, 2026. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, E-mail, or through the internet and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing.
Written comments and any questions on the proposed rules should be submitted to:
Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Kari Lee-Zimmermann (FH/4)
P.O. Box 7921
101 S. Webster Street,
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This rule is likely to have a minimal (less than $50,000) economic impact. Revision of possession limits is not likely to have an economic impact, as anglers are limited by daily bag limits to a greater extent.
Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Phillip Bower
608-266-1318
