CR 23-058 Rule Text

The department will conduct an economic impact analysis and comment period to determine if any individuals, businesses, local governments, or other entities will be affected economically.

11. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis):

The department expects no economic impact directly related to these rule changes. The proposed rule does not impose any compliance or reporting requirements on small businesses nor are any design or operational standards contained in the rule.

12. Agency Contact Person: Meredith Penthorn, 608-316-0080, [e-mail]

13. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:

A comment period was held from October 30, 2023 to November 21, 2023 with a public hearing on November 21, 2023.

RULE TEXT

Section 1   NR 20.03 (15) is amended to read:

NR 20.03 (15) “Green Bay” means those waters of Lake Michigan located to the west of the Green Bay−Lake Michigan line. For the purposes of s. NR 20.20, Green Bay shall mean Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Sawyer’s Harbor, the Sturgeon Bay ship canal from Sturgeon Bay to a line located in the NE¼ of the NW¼, section 22, T27N, R26E, Door county, commencing at a point on the southwest shore of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal directly beneath the center of the Wisconsin public service company power line and extending in a northeasterly direction beneath and parallel to the center of the power line to a point on the northeast shore of the ship canal and the Fox river from its mouth at the east shore of the Fox river where the metal walkway extends out from shore at 44° 32' 18.5274"N, 88° 0' 11.628"W and the west shore of the Fox river at 44°32.363‵N, 88°00.395‵W, up to the dam at DePere. For purposes of this chapter, “Green Bay” does not include that portion of Green Bay bounded by the mouth of the Menominee river on the west, the “government pier” or breakwall on the south, the “lighthouse pier” or breakwall on the north, and a line connecting the eastern−most points of those breakwalls on the east.

Section 2   NR 20.03 (21) is amended to read:

NR 20.03 (21) “Major Green Bay tributaries” means Duck creek upstream to the first dam above the Pamperin park foot bridge in the village of Howard, located at coordinates 44° 32' 27.8514"N, 88° 6' 39.1674"W on the Oneida Golf and Riding Club property, city of Green Bay, excluding its tributaries, Suamico river upstream to CTH HS, East river upstream to Hoffman road (CTH XX) excluding its tributaries, Brown county; Peshtigo river upstream to the Peshtigo dam, Little river upstream to Radar road, Marinette county; Little Suamico river upstream to CTH J excluding tributaries, Pensaukee river upstream to CTH J excluding tributaries, Oconto river upstream to Stiles dam excluding tributaries except Little river, Little river upstream to state highway 141 excluding tributaries, Oconto county.

Section 3   NR 20.10 (7) is amended to read:

NR 20.10 (7) Fish for lake sturgeon with a spear having a spearhead width greater than 18 inches as measured between the outside edges of the tines from the outside edge of one outermost tine to the outside edge of the other outermost tine, excluding barbs, or with tines arranged in any formation other than a single straight line, or both, or possess such a spear during the open season for lake sturgeon.

Section 4   NR 20.10 (7) (note) is created to read:

NR 20.10 (7) Note: Barbs are not considered to be part of the tine and may extend beyond 18 inches.

Section 5   NR 20.19 (1) (table) is amended to read:

NR 20.19 (1)

Species

Possession Limit

Catfish

50 in total

Cisco (lake herring), whitefish, and their hybrids

20 in total

Lake sturgeon

2 in total

Largemouth and smallmouth bass

10 in total

Minnows

As specified in s. NR 20.14

Muskellunge

2 in total

Northern pike

10 in total

Panfish

50 in total

Rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, white perch, bullheads, and rough fish

NoneNo limit

Ruffe and gobies

1 of each which has been killed and possessed only for immediate delivery to a department service center or regional office

Shovelnose sturgeon

6 in total

Trout and salmon

10 in total from inland waters except that only 4 may be lake trout, and 10 in total from outlying waters except that only 4 may be lake trout

Walleye, sauger, and their hybrids

10 in total

Section 6   NR 20.20 (4) (h) 1r. 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)

(4) BAYFIELD (for species or waters not listed, including Lake Superior, see sub. (73))

(h) Trout and salmon

1r. Bark river and all its tributaries, Whittlesey creek and all its tributaries downstream from Town Hall road

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May at 5:00 a.m. to November 15

555 in total but only 2 may be brown trout longer than15 and only 1 may be a rainbow trout, all brook trout caught shall be immediately released

Brown trout 10, salmon 12, rainbow trout 26

Section 7   NR 20.20 (25) (b) 2. is created to read:

county and species

WATERS

AUTHORIZED METHODS

OPEN SEASON (both dates inclusive)

DAILY BAG LIMIT

MINIMUM LENGTH OR OTHER SIZE RESTRICTIONS (INCHES)

(25) IOWA (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(b) Largemouth and smallmouth bass

2. Blackhawk lake, Cox Hollow lake

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March

5

None

Monday following the first Sunday in March to the Friday preceding the first Saturday in May

0

None

Section 8   NR 20.20 (38) (d) 4. 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)

(38) MARINETTE (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(d) Trout and salmon

4. North branch Pemebonwon river, Wausaukee river from the dam in Wausaukee downstream to the confluence with the Menominee river, south branch Pike river from the Brock pond dam downstream to the confluence with the north branch Pike river

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May at 5:00 a.m. to October 15

5 in total

None

Section 9   NR 20.20 (44) (c) 2., (d) 2., and (g) 1. 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)

(44) ONEIDA (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(c) Muskellunge

2. Bearskin lake, Booth lake, Julia lake (T38N R11E S1), Squaw Amber lake (on Vilas county border)

a. Hook and line

Saturday nearest Memorial day to December 31 on open water

1

28

(d) Panfish

2. Indian lake, Oneida lake, SquawAmber lake (on Vilas county border)

a. Hook and line

Continuous

15 in total but no more than 5 of a single species until March 1, 2026 when it becomes 25 in total

None

(g) Walleye

1. Bearskin lake, Crescent lake (near Rhinelander), Diamond lake, Hasbrook lake, Julia lake (on Forest county border), Mercer lake, Oneida lake, SquawAmber lake (on Vilas county border), Squirrel lake, Three lakes chain (includes Big, Big Fork, Big Stone, Deer, Dog, Fourmile, Island, Laurel, Little Fork, Long, Medicine, Moccasin, Mud, Planting Ground, Rangeline, Round, Spirit, Townline, Virgin, and Whitefish lakes and all connecting waters and Eagle river downstream to the Long Lake (Burnt Rollways) dam combined)

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March

3 in total

None, but only 1 may be longer than 14

Section 10   NR 20.20 (50) (f) 4m. is created to read:

county and species

WATERS

AUTHORIZED METHODS

OPEN SEASON (both dates inclusive)

DAILY BAG LIMIT

MINIMUM LENGTH OR OTHER SIZE RESTRICTIONS (INCHES)

(50) PORTAGE (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(f) Trout and salmon

4m. Springville pond

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May at 5:00 a.m. to the first Sunday in March

3 in total

8

Section 11   NR 20.20 (60) (a) 2. 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)

(60) ST. CROIX (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(a) Largemouth and smallmouth bass

2. Bass lake, Glen lake, SquawApple lake

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March

5 in total

None except the possession of fish from 14 to 18 is prohibited and only1 fish may be longer than 18

Monday following the first Sunday in March to Friday preceding the first Saturday in May

0

None

Section 12   NR 20.20 (64) (d) 2., (f) 2., and (g) 2. 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)

(64) VILAS (for species or waters not listed, see sub. (73))

(d) Muskellunge

2. Amber lake (on Oneida county border), Upper Gresham lake

a. Hook and line

Saturday nearest Memorial day to December 31 on open water

1

28

(f) Panfish

2. Amber lake (on Oneida county border), Fishtrap lake, High lake, Rush lake

a. Hook and line

Continuous

15 in total but no more than 5 of a single species until March 1, 2026 when it becomes 25 in total

None

(g) Walleye

2. Big lake (T42N R6E S4), Big Arbor Vitae lake, Big Muskellunge lake, Birch lake, Boulder lake, Crab lake, Harris lake, Ike Walton lake, Island lake, Little Arbor Vitae lake, North Crab lake, North Turtle lake, Oxbow lake, Presque Isle chain (Averill lake, Presque Isle lake, and Van Vliet lake combined), Rock lake, South Turtle lake, SquawAmber lake (on Oneida county border), Star lake, Sherman lake (on Oneida county border), Squirrel lake, Three lakes chain (includes Big, Big Fork, Big Stone, Deer, Dog, Fourmile, Island, Laurel, Little Fork, Long, Medicine, Moccasin, Mud, Planting Ground, Rangeline, Round, Spirit, Townline, Virgin, and Whitefish lakes and all connecting waters and Eagle river downstream to the Long Lake (Burnt Rollways) dam combined)

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May to the first Sunday in March

3 in total

None, but only 1 may be longer than 14

Section 13   NR 20.20 (73) (f) 4. 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)

(73) SPECIES OR WATERS NOT LISTED IN SUBS. (1) TO (72)

(f) Largemouth and smallmouth bass

4. All waters not listed in subs. (1) to (72) or this paragraph north of a line following state highway 77 from its bridge over the St. Croix river east to state highway 27, south on state highway 27 to state highway 64, east on state highway 64 to its terminus in the city of Marinette and continuing due east to the shore of Green Bay and all waters, excluding tributaries to Green Bay, north of state highway 29 from its bridge over the Fox river east to its terminus in the city of Kewaunee and continuing due east to the shore of Lake Michigan.

a. Hook and line

First Saturday in May to Friday preceding the third Saturday in June

0 for smallmouth bass, 5 for largemouth bass

14

Third Saturday in June to the first Sunday in March

5 in total

14

Monday following the first Sunday in March to Friday preceding the first Saturday in May

0

None

Section 14   NR 20.38 (1) (a), (d) and (e) are amended to read:

NR 20.38 (1) (a) All waters in Barron, Burnett, Chippewa, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn counties.

(d) Florence county. Bass, Fay, Frog, Halsey, Long (Forest county), Patten, Scout and West Bass lakes; Line and Pine river flowages.

(e) Forest county. Arbutus lake, Crane lake, Jungle lake, Lake Metonga, Lily lake, Little Rice lake, Pickerel lake, and Roberts lake.

Section 15   NR 20.38 (1) (g), (h), (j) and (L), (3) (b), and (5) are repealed.

Section 16   NR 20.40 (10) (c) 1. is amended to read:

  NR 20.40 (10) (c) 1. Opening weekend of athe fishing season of a particular species if the fishing tournament targets that species, except that a person may conduct a fishing tournament that is not a traditional fishing tournament on opening weekend on waters with a continuous open harvest season for that species.

Section 17   NR 20.60 (1) (b) is amended to read:

  NR 20.60 (1) (b) For each fishing trip, the licensee shall accurately record the licensee’s name, license number, date, documented boat name or 8−digit state registration number, locations fished, number of anglers, number of lines fished, hours fished, the total number of fish harvested, and other information required by the department on the report form in the electronic reporting system in the English language within 1/2 hour after completing each trip’s fishing activities after returning to the dock or shore. The number of fish of each species harvested and fin clip information, if required by the department, may be recorded in the electronic reporting system after returning to the dock or shore but shall be recorded in the electronic reporting system by 11:59 p.m. the day of the fishing trip. The electronic report form shall be immediately exhibited to a department representative upon request.

Section 18   NR 26.01 (15) (d) and (55) (b) are amended to read:

COUNTY

WATERS

REFUGE BOUNDARIES

START DATE

END DATE

(15) Door

(d) Sturgeon Bay ship canal

Canal area within 500 feet of Strawberry creek in the SE ¼ of the SE ¼ , section 16, T22NT27N, R26E

September 1

December 31

(55) Rusk

(b) Thornapple river

Confluence with Chippewa river in section 4, T34N, R7W upstream to the Thornapple road crossing in section 33, T35N, R1WR7W

April 25

May 14

Section 19   NR 26.01 (68) (am) is created to read:

COUNTY

WATERS

REFUGE BOUNDARIES

START DATE

END DATE

(68) Waukesha

(am) Bark river

Highway 83 bridge to the inlet to Lake Nagawicka at NE ¼, section 9, T7N, R18E to NE ¼, section 8, T7N, R18E

March 1

Friday preceding the first Saturday in May

Section 20. 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 21. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on January 24, 2024.

Dated at Madison, Wisconsin _____________________________.

        STATE OF WISCONSIN    

          DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES                

          BY ______________________________________

            Steven Little, Deputy Secretary