29.503(2)(a)(a) No person may engage in business as a wholesale fish dealer unless he or she is issued a wholesale fish dealer license by the department.
29.503(2)(b)
(b) No producer of fish who holds a commercial fishing license or contract under this chapter shall be required to obtain a license to sell the fish that he or she produces.
29.503(3)
(3) Lake sturgeon. A wholesale fish dealer license does not authorize a person to sell, buy, barter, trade, possess, control or transport lake sturgeon.
29.503(4)
(4) Tagging, labeling, and vehicle identification requirements. 29.503(4)(a)(a)
Tag, label or receipt required. No wholesale fish dealer may sell, buy, barter, trade, possess, control, transport, or cause to be transported any fish unless the fish are tagged and labeled in accordance with the law of the state or country where they were taken or, if no label or tag is required under the law of that state or country, unless the fish are accompanied by a receipt or invoice from the person from whom the fish were purchased or obtained.
29.503(4)(b)
(b)
Special requirements for lake trout. No wholesale fish dealer or producer of fish may sell, buy, barter, trade, possess, control, transport, or cause to be transported any lake trout unless the lake trout is identified in the form and manner required by the department.
29.503(4)(c)
(c)
Failure to tag or label. Fish which are not tagged, labeled or accompanied by a receipt showing the fish were taken in another state or country as required under
par. (a) or
(b) are presumed to have been taken from the waters of this state.
29.503(4)(d)1.1. No wholesale fish dealer or producer of fish may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive for transportation from the seller of fish to the buyer of fish, any container, package, or box containing any fish unless it is accompanied by a bill of lading or an invoice that contains the name, address, and license number of the seller and of the buyer.
29.503(4)(d)2.
2. The bill of lading or invoice required under
subd. 1. shall contain the name, address, and license number of the seller and the buyer of the fish covered by the bill of lading or invoice and shall specify the point of origin of the fish, the point of destination of the fish, the species of fish, the weight of each species of fish, and the number of containers, packages, or boxes covered by the bill of lading or invoice. The operator of the conveyance transporting the fish shall immediately produce the bill of lading or invoice for inspection upon the request of a warden.
29.503(4)(d)3.
3. This paragraph does not apply to a producer of fish if the producer is transporting fish from the producer's boat or landing to a processing facility in this state.
29.503(4)(e)1.1. No wholesale fish dealer or producer of fish may transport or cause to be transported any fish in a vehicle unless the ownership of the vehicle is marked in a manner prescribed by the department that identifies the vehicle's ownership and that confirms that the vehicle contains fish.
29.503(4)(e)2.
2. This paragraph does not apply to a producer of fish if the producer is transporting fish from the producer's boat or landing to a processing facility in this state.
29.503(5)(a)(a)
Records. Each wholesale fish dealer shall keep legible, written records in the English language of all fish purchased, sold, possessed, or obtained in his or her capacity as a wholesale fish dealer by any means including by trade or barter and shall keep records of all fish disposed of in his or her capacity as a wholesale fish dealer for any reason, including as a result of spoilage or by donation. The record shall include the name, address, and fish dealer license number of the purchaser; the name, address, and wholesale fish dealer or commercial fishing license number of the person from whom the fish were purchased or obtained; the date of the transaction; the kinds of fish, the pounds or kilograms of each kind and the description of the fish purchased or obtained; and the signature of the person completing the record. If the record relates to a retail sale by the wholesale fish dealer, the record shall include only the date of the transaction and the kind, weight, and condition of the fish sold.
29.503(5)(br)
(br)
Inventory. Each wholesale fish dealer shall prepare an annual inventory of Great Lakes fish and all species of sturgeon owned by the wholesale fish dealer or in the dealer's possession or control at the time that the inventory is prepared, including such fish maintained in cold storage facilities. The inventory shall be furnished to the department within 15 days after the inventory is completed. The inventory shall be recorded on a form available from the department and shall include the weight of the fish in pounds or kilograms, the species of the fish, the condition of the fish, and the address of the location of the fish.
29.503(5)(c)
(c)
Prohibition. No wholesale fish dealer, or employee of a wholesale fish dealer, may possess, control, store, transport, or cause to be transported any fish for which there is no record or for which there is no inventory as required under this subsection.
29.503(5)(d)1.1. Each wholesale fish dealer shall retain all records and inventories required under this subsection for a period of at least 5 years from the date on which the record or inventory was created. Each wholesale fish dealer shall notify the department annually, on forms available from the department, of the location of the dealer's records and inventories.
29.503(5)(d)2.
2. Upon the written request of a wholesale fish dealer to the department, the department shall keep confidential the value or weight of any fish listed on a record or inventory under this subsection and the identity of any person who is listed on a record under this subsection as having purchased, sold, possessed, or obtained fish.
29.503(5)(d)3.
3. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2, the department may disclose information contained on any record or inventory furnished by a dealer to the department if the disclosure is in furtherance of an investigation or enforcement action undertaken by the department or a law enforcement agency.
29.503(5)(d)4.
4. Notwithstanding the confidentiality requirement in subd. 2, the department may disclose information contained on any record furnished by a dealer to the department if the department uses the information for a statistical summary or report that does not identify the dealer by name or license number.
29.503(6)(a)(a)
Subjects of inspection. Fish stored or in the possession of a wholesale fish dealer, records and reports of a wholesale fish dealer and buildings, structures, vehicles, boats, equipment and materials related to a wholesale fish dealer's business are subject to inspection by the department as provided in this subsection.
29.503(6)(am)1.1. Upon the request of the department, a wholesale fish dealer licensed in this state shall produce all records relating to the purchase, acquisition, sale, trade, barter, storage, or disposition of fish that are kept at the wholesale fish dealer's place of business or at a residence, dwelling, or location other than the wholesale fish dealer's place of business, within 24 hours of the request, for inspection or copying. The wholesale fish dealer may mail the records to the department for inspection or copying. The records shall be mailed within 24 hours of receipt of the department's request.
29.503(6)(am)2.
2. The department may not issue a license to, or renew a wholesale fish dealer license issued to, any person who has been convicted of violating this paragraph for a period of one year following the conviction.
29.503(6)(b)
(b)
Inspection authority; entry; inspection. For the purpose of enforcing this subsection, a warden or a representative of the department, upon presentation of his or her credentials to a wholesale fish dealer, a person operating a vehicle or boat for a wholesale fish dealer or an employee or person acting on behalf of a wholesale fish dealer, is authorized during any time when business is being conducted on the premises:
29.503(6)(b)1.
1. To enter any building or structure, except a dwelling place, where fish are stored, processed, packed or held, where a wholesale fish dealer's records or reports are kept, where vehicles, boats, equipment or materials used in a wholesale fish dealer's business are located or where activities related to a wholesale fish dealer's business are conducted and to enter any vehicle or boat used to transport or hold fish.
29.503(6)(b)2.
2. To inspect fish stored or in the possession of a wholesale fish dealer, inspect or copy records or reports of a wholesale fish dealer, and to inspect buildings, structures, vehicles, boats, equipment and materials related to a wholesale fish dealer's business.
29.503(6)(c)
(c)
Failure to produce records or to permit inspection. No wholesale fish dealer, operator of a vehicle or boat for a wholesale fish dealer or employee or person acting on behalf of a wholesale fish dealer may prohibit entry or prohibit an inspection to be conducted as authorized under this subsection, or refuse to produce records as required under this subsection, unless a court restrains or enjoins the entry, inspection, or production.
29.503(7)
(7) Exemption. This section does not apply to fish produced in a state or municipal fish hatchery or to farm-raised fish that are bought, bartered, sold, obtained, processed, solicited, or transported by a person who operates a fish farm registered under
s. 95.60 (3m) or by that person's employees.
29.503 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ss.
NR 19.001 and
NR 25.17, Wis. adm. code.
29.506(1)(1)
Definition. In this section, "taxidermist" means a person who mounts or preserves the carcass of any wild animal for consideration.
29.506(2)
(2) Permit requirements. No person may engage in business as a taxidermist unless he or she is issued a taxidermist permit subject to
s. 29.024 by the department. This subsection does not apply to agents or employees of taxidermists while working under the direct supervision of a taxidermist permit holder.
29.506(3)
(3) Permits. The department may not issue a taxidermist permit to any person unless that person has a seller's permit issued by the department of revenue and the number of the seller's permit is reported on the application form.
29.506(4)
(4) Authorization. Subject to this section, a taxidermist permit authorizes the permit holder to possess and transport carcasses of wild animals in connection with his or her business. This authority supersedes, to the extent permitted under this section, restrictions on the possession and transportation of carcasses of wild animals established under this chapter and
ch. 169. A taxidermist permit entitles the permit holder to the same privileges as a Class A fur dealer's license.
29.506(5)
(5) Prohibition on commingling carcasses; carcass identification. 29.506(5)(a)(a)
Commingling. No person may commingle, store, possess or transport carcasses of wild animals received in connection with his or her business with carcasses of wild animals received for any other purpose. This paragraph does not require separate refrigeration units for carcasses of wild animals received in connection with a person's business, if properly identified and recorded under
par. (b), and carcasses of wild animals received for any other purpose.
29.506(5)(b)
(b)
Carcass identification; owner information. A person who receives the carcass of any wild animal in connection with his or her business as a taxidermist shall attach an identification tag to the carcass and record information concerning the owner of the carcass. The identification tag shall remain with the carcass while it is in the possession or under the control of the taxidermist. Each identification tag shall have an identification number which corresponds with the information record of the owner of the carcass. The information record of the owner shall include the owner's name, address and signature, a description of the carcass and the date the carcass is received by the taxidermist. This paragraph does not apply to salvage or spare parts of any carcass owned by a taxidermist that are used for repair or replacement purposes.
29.506(5m)
(5m) Control of cervid carcasses. No taxidermist may possess, transport, or control the carcass of a cervid in violation of rules promulgated by the department under
s. 29.063 (3) or
(4).
29.506(6)
(6) Records. A taxidermist shall maintain records on sales forms, in triplicate, as required by the department. These records shall include information records of the owner as required under
sub. (5) (b), records of all other wild animal carcasses received in his or her place of business and records of deliveries and shipments of wild animal carcasses. Records related to the effective period of a taxidermist permit shall be maintained for 2 years following the end of that effective period. This subsection does not apply to salvage or spare parts of any carcass owned by a taxidermist that are used for repair or replacement purposes.
29.506(7)(a)(a)
Departmental authority; limitations. A warden may enter a taxidermist's place of business for inspection purposes as provided under
par. (b) only:
29.506(7)(a)3.
3. Upon presentation of his or her credentials to the taxidermist or an employee or agent of the taxidermist.
29.506(7)(b)
(b)
Items subject to inspection. All records required under
subs. (5) (b) and
(6) or related to the taxidermist's business are subject to departmental inspection as provided under
par. (a). A taxidermist or an employee or agent of the taxidermist shall cooperate with and exhibit items subject to inspection to a warden or any other agent of the department.
29.506(7)(c)
(c)
Report. If requested, the department shall issue a report concerning any inspection conducted under this subsection.
29.506(7m)(a)(a) The department shall issue a taxidermy school permit to a person who applies for the permit; who, on August 15, 1991, holds a valid taxidermist permit issued under this section; and who, on August 15, 1991, operates a taxidermy school approved by the educational approval board under
s. 38.50.
29.506(7m)(b)
(b) A taxidermy school permit authorizes the holder of the permit to purchase muskellunge, bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, rock bass or northern pike, or the carcass of these fish, from persons who caught the fish and to resell the fish only to students enrolled in a taxidermy course at the taxidermy school operated by the purchaser. For purposes of this paragraph, a taxidermy course may not include a correspondence course in taxidermy.
29.506(7m)(c)
(c) A taxidermy school permit issued under this subsection shall limit the number of each species of fish that the operator of the taxidermy school may possess on any given date to the number that the taxidermy school needs for its course of instruction for a period of 2 years beginning on that date.
29.506(7m)(d)
(d) For the species of fish specified in
par. (b), a holder of a taxidermy school permit issued under this subsection shall comply with the tagging requirements under
sub. (5) (b) and the recording requirements under
sub. (6) and shall allow inspections as authorized under
sub. (7).
29.506(8)
(8) Penalties. Any person who violates this section is subject to the following penalties:
29.506(8)(a)
(a) For a first conviction for any violation, a forfeiture of not more than $25.
29.506(8)(b)
(b) For a 2nd or subsequent conviction for any violation within 3 years of any previous violation, a forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $500.
29.506 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ss.
NR 19.28 and
19.001, Wis. adm. code.
29.509
29.509
Bait dealer license. 29.509(1)
(1) In this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
29.509(1)(a)
(a) "Bait" means any species of frog, crayfish or minnow used for fishing purposes.
29.509(1)(b)
(b) "Bait dealer, Class A" means any person who buys for resale, barters, gives or sells bait to the amount of $2,000 or more each year.
29.509(1)(c)
(c) "Bait dealer, Class B" means any person who buys or gives for resale, barters, or sells bait to the amount of less than $2,000 each year.
29.509(2)
(2) A bait dealer license may be issued by the department to any resident.
29.509(3)
(3) No person may engage in the business of bait dealer unless the person is issued a bait dealer license by the department, except that a child under 16 years of age who is a resident may barter or sell bait to consumers without a license or permit and shall be allowed to have a possession limit of 5,000 of each species of bait, but the child may not make bait sales totaling more than $500 annually.
29.509(4)
(4) Each licensee shall keep records as required by the department of all transactions in the production, buying and selling of bait carried on by the licensee, except that retail sales to consumers need not be recorded. This record shall show the name and address of the person from whom bait was purchased and to whom it was sold, together with the date of each transaction and the value of the bait. This record shall be open to the inspection of the department at all reasonable hours. The record shall be kept intact for a period of 2 years after the expiration of any license issued under this section, as to all transactions carried on while the license was effective.
29.509(5)
(5) The department may issue permits for the taking of bait from specified waters and restrict the number of permits that may be issued for any designated body of water. The permits shall be issued in the order of application up to the limit established by the department.
29.509(6)
(6) This section does not apply to bait produced in a state or municipal fish hatchery or to bait that is farm-raised fish.
29.509(7)
(7) Any person who molests, damages, destroys or takes the bait traps of another, regardless of intent, shall forfeit not more than $100.
29.509 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ss.
NR 20.14 and
20.60, Wis. adm. code.
29.512(1)(1) No person may engage or be employed for any compensation or reward to guide, direct or assist any other person in hunting, fishing or trapping unless the person is issued a guide license by the department subject to
ss. 29.024 and
54.25 (2) (c) 1. d. No guide license for hunting or trapping may be issued to or obtained by any person who is not a resident of this state. No guide license may be issued to any person under the age of 18 years. The holder of a guide license shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter.
29.512(2)
(2) Any person violating this section shall forfeit not more than $100 and upon such conviction the person's guide license shall be revoked for one year.
29.512 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also s.
NR 20.65, Wis. adm. code.
29.514
29.514
Outlying water sport trolling licenses. 29.514(1)
(1) No person may be engaged or be employed for any compensation to guide any other person in sport trolling for trout or salmon in and upon the outlying waters unless the person is issued a sport trolling license by the department subject to
s. 29.024. No sport trolling license may be issued to any person under the age of 18 years. The application shall include the name and address of the applicant, the name of the home port from which the applicant will operate, the applicant's valid U.S. coast guard operator's license number and other information as required by the department for statistical purposes. The licensee and all persons on board the licensee's boat shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter. Boats used by the licensee shall meet minimum U.S. coast guard and this state's boat licensing and safety requirements.
29.514(2)
(2) Each licensee shall keep records of the number of each variety of fish taken under his or her sport trolling license and other information that the department requires, and shall report to the department on forms provided by the department on or before the 10th day of each month on the records for the preceding calendar month. The licensee is responsible for the number of fish taken and shall be held to account for the number.
29.516
29.516
Fishing with nets and setlines. 29.516(1)
(1)
License required. Nets and setlines may be used for the purpose of taking, catching, or killing fish, subject to the conditions, limitations and restrictions prescribed in this chapter; but no person may set, place or use in any waters of this state any net, trap, snare, set hook, or setline, which is intended to or might take, catch or kill fish of any variety, other than a landing net, dip net, minnow seine or minnow dip net, unless a license authorizing the use of nets, setlines, traps or snares has been issued to the person by the department.
29.516(2)
(2) Restrictions on the use of licensed nets and setlines. The use of licensed nets and setlines is subject to the following conditions:
29.516(2)(a)
(a) No apron or other device shall be used in any pound net, which might prevent the escape of small fish through the meshes of the net when it is set or raised.
