Chapter 29

29.407(2) (2) From outlying waters.

29.407(2)(a) (a) No person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game fish taken from outlying waters unless the person complies with all applicable requirements under pars. (b) and (d).

29.407(2)(b) (b)

29.407(2)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph, “fresh fish” means any fish that has not been frozen or smoked.

29.407(2)(b)2. 2. No fresh fish of any variety except lawfully taken suckers may be shipped from any port located on outlying waters during the closed season for the fish, except the first 3 days of the closed season.

29.407(2)(d) (d)

29.407(2)(d)1. 1. All fish that are subject to a size limit and are taken by hook and line may be transported if one of the following applies:

29.407(2)(d)1.a. a. The fish is a whole, dressed, or filleted fish with the head and tail attached.

29.407(2)(d)1.b. b. The fish is a dressed or filleted fish with the head or tail or both removed or is in the form of fillets and the person transporting the fish provides upon request a photograph described under subd. 2. that shows the fish before the head or tail or both were removed alongside a ruler or other method acceptable to the department for proving the length of the fish.

29.407(2)(d)2. 2. A photograph under subd. 1. b. shall be either a physical photograph that bears a stamp of the time and date on which the photograph was taken or a digital photograph displayed on a cellular telephone or other electronic device with metadata that indicates the time and date the image was captured. If a digital photograph is displayed on a cellular telephone or other electronic device, the conservation warden may not view, and displaying a digital photograph does not constitute consent for the conservation warden to view, any content on the telephone or other device except for the photograph and metadata required under this subdivision.

29.407(2)(d)3. 3. For any fish transported under subd. 1., a dressed fish shall remain in one piece with the skin and scales intact and the skin and scales shall remain on a filleted fish and on a fish in the form of fillets.

29.407(3) (3) Shipments from inland points. Any shipment of game fish of any variety originating at any point in this state other than ports located on outlying waters is subject to this section governing the transportation of game fish taken from inland waters.

29.407(4) (4) Injurious fish. No live rough fish except goldfish, dace and suckers may be transported into or within the state without a permit from the department, except any person authorized by a state contract to remove rough fish pursuant to s. 29.421 may transport rough fish taken by the person under the authority of the contract.

29.407(5) (5) Exemptions.

29.407(5)(a) (a) This section does not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who is transporting fish in connection with the person’s business.

29.407(5)(b) (b) This section does not apply to the transportation, delivery, receipt or shipping of farm-raised fish or fish produced in a municipal fish hatchery.

29.407 History History: 1971 c. 266; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 49; 1989 a. 56; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 524 to 537; Stats. 1997 s. 29.407; 2005 a. 288; 2013 a. 20; 2023 a. 112.

29.411 29.411 Cooperation during a fish census. A person who is fishing shall cooperate with an employee of the department when the employee is involved in taking a fish census. Section 29.971 does not apply to this section.

29.411 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 573.

29.414 29.414 Erection of barriers to exclude rough fish. The department may erect and maintain or authorize erection and maintenance of a screen or similar barrier in any navigable stream for the purpose of preventing rough fish or other undesirable fish from invading any part of the stream, if the screen or barrier does not unreasonably interfere with navigation.

29.414 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 571.

29.417 29.417 Permit to take rough fish.

29.417(1) (1) Permission may be granted to any person by the department upon terms and conditions required by the department to take rough fish in the following bays or harbors in Door County: Sturgeon Bay, Little Sturgeon Bay, Riley’s Bay, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek Harbor, Eagle Harbor, Bailey’s Harbor, Mud Bay, North Bay, Rowley’s Bay, and Washington Harbor, Jackson Harbor and Detroit Harbor in Washington Island.

29.417(2) (2) A person having a contract to take rough fish under s. 29.421 or this section may be authorized by the department to erect and maintain a temporary pond in any navigable water pending the sale of the fish, provided that the pond does not unreasonably interfere with navigation or other public rights in the water.

29.417(3) (3) Bays and harbors listed in this section shall have the following description:

29.417(3)(a) (a) That body of water known as Jackson Harbor lying south and west of a line commencing at the most northerly point in section 27, township 34 north, range 30 east, and running in a straight line northwesterly to the most easterly point in the northeast quarter of section 28, same township and range.

29.417(3)(b) (b) That body of water known as Bailey’s Harbor lying north of a line commencing at the most southerly point in section 21, township 30 north, range 28 east, and running in a straight line westerly to the south line of section 20, same township and range.

29.417(3)(c) (c) That body of water known as Washington Harbor lying south of a line commencing at the water’s edge on the north line of section 26, township 34 north, range 29 east, and running in a straight line easterly to the water’s edge on the north line of section 25, same township and range.

29.417(3)(d) (d) That body of water known as Eagle Harbor lying south and east of a line drawn from the most northeast point in section 9, township 31 north, range 27 east, easterly to the water’s edge on the north line of section 12, same township and range.

29.417(3)(e) (e) That body of water known as Egg Harbor lying south of a line commencing at the most northeast point in section 26, township 30 north, range 26 east, and running in a straight line east to the north line of section 25, same township and range.

29.417(3)(f) (f) That body of water known as North Bay lying north of a line commencing at the most northeast point in section 35, township 31 north, range 28 east, and running in a straight line to the west line of section 25, same township and range.

29.417(3)(g) (g) That body of water known as Fish Creek Harbor lying south and east of a line commencing at the most northerly point in the southwest quarter of section 29, township 31 north, range 27 east, and running northeasterly in a straight line to the water’s edge on north line of said section, township and range.

29.417(3)(h) (h) That body of water known as Detroit Harbor lying north of a line commencing at the most southerly point in section 14, township 33 north, range 29 east, and running in a straight line to the most southerly point in section 18, township 33 north, range 30 east.

29.417(3)(i) (i) That body of water known as Little Sturgeon Bay lying south of a line commencing at the most northeast point in section 35, township 28 north, range 24 east, and running in a northeasterly direction to the most northerly point in section 36, same township and range.

29.417(3)(j) (j) That body of water known as Rowley’s Bay lying north of a line commencing at the water’s edge on south line of section 26, township 32 north, range 28 east, and running east to the most southerly point in section 32, same township and range.

29.417(3)(k) (k) That body of water known as Riley’s Bay lying south of a line commencing at the most northerly point in section 36, township 28 north, range 24 east, and running in a northeasterly direction to the most northerly point in section 30, township 28 north, range 25 east.

29.417 History History: 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1997 a. 248 ss. 81, 83, 85, 681; Stats. 1997 s. 29.417.

29.417 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 20.38, Wis. adm. code.

29.421 29.421 Removal of rough fish. The department may take rough fish by means of seines, nets or other devices, or cause rough fish to be taken, from any of the waters of this state, other than waters in a self-contained fish rearing facility or in a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water. Whenever the department takes rough fish under this section it shall dispose of the fish in any manner that it determines to be appropriate.

29.421 History History: 1971 c. 266; 1977 c. 418; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1997 a. 248 ss. 676, 677; Stats. 1997 s. 29.421; 1999 a. 32.

29.421 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 20.38, Wis. adm. code.

29.424 29.424 Control of detrimental fish.

29.424(1) (1) When the department finds that any species of fish is detrimental to any of the waters of the state it may designate the species of fish and specify the waters in which the species of fish is found to be detrimental. The department may remove or cause to be removed detrimental fish of the species designated from the waters specified.

29.424(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not authorize the department to remove fish from a self-contained fish rearing facility or from a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water unless one or more of the following apply:

29.424(2)(a) (a) The fish are of a species that is not native to this state and the department determines that having the fish in that particular self-contained fish rearing facility or preexisting fish rearing facility poses a risk of being detrimental to the waters of the state.

29.424(2)(b) (b) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has requested that the department of natural resources remove the fish to address a problem affecting fish health.

29.424 History History: 1975 c. 360; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 678 to 680; Stats. 1997 s. 29.424.

29.424 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 20.38, Wis. adm. code.

subch. VI of ch. 29 SUBCHAPTER VI

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

Subch. VI of ch. 29 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.01, Wis. adm. code.

29.501 29.501 Fur dealers regulated.

29.501(1) (1) In this section:

29.501(1)(a) (a) “Dressed fur” means the dressed or tanned skins of any fur-bearing animal, but does not include fur in the manufactured article.

29.501(1)(b) (b) “Fur auctioneer” means a person duly licensed to sell furs of wild-fur-bearing animals of this or other states or foreign countries.

29.501(1)(c) (c) “Fur dresser or dyer” means a person engaged in the business of dressing, dyeing, tanning and otherwise preparing furs to be made into manufactured articles.

29.501(1)(d) (d) “Itinerant fur buyers” means persons other than resident fur dealers who engage in the business of buying, bartering, trading or otherwise obtaining raw furs from trappers or from fur buyers or fur dealers in retail lots for purposes of resale, except those buying furs at a nationally advertised public auction conducted by a regularly licensed fur auctioneer.

29.501(1)(e) (e) “Raw fur” means the undressed skins or pelts of any fur-bearing animal.

29.501(1)(f) (f) “Resident fur dealer, Class A” means persons having an established post or place of business in the state where they carry on the business of buying, bartering, trading and otherwise obtaining raw or dressed furs, to the amount of $2,000 or more each year.

29.501(1)(g) (g) “Resident fur dealer, Class B” means persons having an established post or place of business in the state where they carry on the business of buying, bartering, trading and otherwise obtaining raw or dressed furs, to the amount of less than $2,000 each year.

29.501(2) (2) No person may engage in the business of buying, bartering, bargaining, trading or otherwise obtaining raw furs until he or she has a license issued under this section.

29.501(3) (3) Licenses shall be issued, subject to s. 29.024 (2g) and (2r), by the department upon application. The form of application and license shall be prescribed by the department.

29.501(5) (5) Persons who have not had a place of business in the state for at least one year immediately preceding the date of application for such license, shall be issued itinerant fur buyers’ licenses only.

29.501(6) (6) Each resident fur dealer, Class A; resident fur dealer, Class B; fur dresser or dyer; itinerant fur dealer or fur auctioneer license shall bear upon its face the date of issuance. The license shall be exhibited to the department upon request.

29.501(6m) (6m) 

29.501(6m)(a) (a) Every person licensed under this section shall keep records of all transactions in the buying, selling, dressing, dyeing or tanning of raw furs by the person. This record shall show the name and address of each person from whom furs were purchased and to whom sold, together with the date of receipt and shipment, and a detailed account as to the number and kinds of raw furs in each shipment received or sold. This record shall be open to the inspection of the department at all reasonable hours. The records 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.

29.501(6m)(b) (b) Not less than 10 days before conducting a fur auction, the fur auctioneer shall file with the department evidence of national advertising showing the date and place of the auction.

29.501(6m)(c) (c) Within 10 days after conducting any fur auction, the fur auctioneer shall file with the department on forms furnished by it a report of the auction containing the date and place of the auction, the names and addresses of all persons buying furs taken from wild fur-bearing animals, the quantities and kinds of furs bought, and the amounts paid for the furs by each buyer.

29.501(7) (7) All packages of raw furs shipped or transported by any person shall have plainly marked on the outside of the package or shipment the kinds and number of furs in the package or shipment, the license number, and the name of the consignor and the consignee.

29.501(8) (8) No person on the person’s own behalf or as an agent for any person may receive for shipment or cause to be received for shipment out of or in the state, any package of fur or furs unless the contents are plainly marked on the outside of the package as to the number and kinds of fur contained in the package, the license number, and the address of the consignor and consignee.

29.501(9) (9) Nothing in this section prohibits any person from buying raw or dressed furs for the purpose of making garments for himself or herself or a member of his or her family, but the person shall apply to the department for a permit to buy the furs.

29.501(9m) (9m) This section applies to the raw furs and dressed furs of fur-bearing animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.

29.501(10) (10) Any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 9 months, or both. Any person violating sub. (6m) shall forfeit not more than $100.

29.501 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1997 a. 248 ss. 288 to 290; Stats. 1997 s. 29.501; 1999 a. 32; 2001 a. 56; 2015 a. 89.

29.503 29.503 Wholesale fish dealer license.

29.503(1) (1) Definitions. In this section, unless the content otherwise requires:

29.503(1)(a) (a) “Canned fish” means fish and seafood products prepared for human consumption commercially, sterilized by heat and preserved in hermetically sealed containers.

29.503(1)(b) (b) “Fish” means any processed or unprocessed fish of those species which are found in the waters of the state as defined in s. 281.01 (18), including parts of fish, fish eggs, or fish products. “Fish” does not include minnows produced and sold or purchased as bait.

29.503(1)(c) (c) “Producer of fish” means any person who fishes with or without a crew.

29.503(1)(cm) (cm) “Record” includes any material on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, or electromagnetic information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form, that relates to the production, storage, transportation, purchase, sale, trade, barter, or other acquisition or disposition of fish by commercial fishers or wholesale fish dealers.

29.503(1)(d) (d) “Seafood” means food sold fresh or frozen and commonly known as oysters, shrimp, lobsters, lobster tails, crabs, scallops, clams and other types of shell fish which are or can be lawfully taken for commercial purposes, but not any canned fish or fish known as lutefisk.

29.503(1)(e) (e) “Wholesale fish dealer” means any person who buys, barters, obtains, sells, solicits, or processes fish in any manner for himself or herself or any other person for sale to anyone other than a consumer; but no established retail store or locker plant is a “wholesale fish dealer” solely as the result of the sale of fish to a restaurant, hotel or tavern at no reduction in the retail price charged other retail customers. A producer of fish, except as otherwise hereinafter provided, who sells fish directly to retailers is a wholesale fish dealer. Hotels, meat markets, grocery stores, restaurants and taverns are retailers, except when they sell fish for resale, in which case they are wholesale fish dealers.

29.503(2) (2) License required; exemption.

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.