Currently, commercial harvest of lake whitefish is managed with zone-specific harvest limits in three commercial fishing zones:
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Lake whitefish commercial harvest limits | Pounds per year |
Zone 1 – Southern Green Bay | 362,185 |
Zone 2 – Northern Green Bay and Northern Lake Michigan | 2,166,329 |
Zone 3 – Southern Lake Michigan | 351,487 |
Total Allowable Harvest Limit | 2,880,000 |
The zone allocation structure is largely based on historical fishing effort and catch. From 2010 to 2013, Zone 1 & 3 harvest has been near the allowable harvest limit with some individual quota holders catching their complete individual quotas. However, Zone 2 harvest has been less than half the allowable harvest limit.
Historically many of the lake whitefish captured in Wisconsin waters were from the North/Moonlight Bays spawning stock. However, in recent years the west shore Green Bay tributaries, particularly the Menominee River, appear to be producing a large number of lake whitefish. Overall the distribution of lake whitefish has changed with many more fish present in southern Green Bay relative to northern Green Bay and Lake Michigan than in the past. Lake-wide, many lake whitefish populations are declining and in particular the North/Moonlight Bays spawning population is showing recruitment problems. In contrast, Green Bay spawning populations do not appear to be declining as substantially or may be maintaining population abundance.
These rule changes will produce two main benefits:
1) Overall lake whitefish populations will be better protected and specifically the North/Moonlight Bays stock will be better protected.
2) Commercial fishers will be better able to harvest lake whitefish from west shore Green Bay stocks and more fully utlize the resource resulting in increased economic value of the fishery.
4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
Section 29.014(1), Stats., directs the Department to establish and maintain any bag limits and conditions governing the taking of fish that will conserve the fish supply and ensure the citizens of this state continued opportunities for good fishing. Section 29.041, Stats., provides that the Department may regulate fishing on and in all interstate boundary waters and outlying waters. Section 29.519(1m)(b), Stats., grants discretion to the Department to establish commercial fish species harvest limits after giving due consideration to the recommendations made by the commercial fishing boards. It also specifies that the limitations on harvests must be based on the available harvestable population of fish and in the wise use and conservation of the fish, so as to prevent over-exploitation. 5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
Approximately 270 hours
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
Wisconsin-licensed commercial fishers, wholesale fish dealers, and others whose businesses are affected by commercial fishing of Lake Michigan whitefish may be affected by this rule. Sport anglers, fishing guides, and related fishing businesses on Green Bay may be affected by a potential geographical shift or increase in commercial fishing effort. Southern Green Bay is a very popular sport fishing location and sport anglers may not support potential commercial fishing increases and related game fish bycatch in this area. In recent years, whitefish sport angling has become very popular in southern Green Bay. Currently the combined harvest of sport and commercial fishers is below the Wisconsin Lake Michigan commercial whtitefish quota. However, increased commercial harvest in southern Green Bay may reduce the available population of lake whitefish for sport anglers. Adequate education and enforcement would be needed to help prevent additional commercial gear from interfering with sport fishing, and vice versa.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
No federal regulations apply. None of the rule proposals violate or conflict with federal regulations.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule:
The rule will impact the harvest of lake whitefish by commercial fishers. Because of the shift in distribution and overall decline in lake whitefish populations, some commercial fishers could have a reduction in their individual harvest quotas or percentage of the harvest while others have an increase. Certain areas or the whole fishery may be further restricted by season and methods. However, the overall economic impact may be positive for the commercial industry because the rule would allow for more efficient harvest from full use of the available lake whitefish commercial stocks.
The rule changes are necessary in order to ensure a sustainable lake whitefish fishery over the long-term and to better allow commercial fishers to harvest the total allowable commercial catch for whitefish. The rule may have a moderate economic impact in the Lake Michigan region, but an exact amount of impact is unknown at this time. The Department will conduct an economic impact analysis to gather comments from any individuals, businesses, local governments, or other entities that expect to be affected economically by the rule change. In addition, the Department will seek advice from the LMCFB when developing the rule.
The proposed rule will have an effect on small businesses, but would not impose any reporting requirements and would likely not contain any design or operational standards in the rule.
9. Anticipated number, month and locations of public hearings:
The Department anticipates holding one public hearing in late 2015. The hearing will be held in Cleveland, WI, which is a central location for commercial fishers along Lake Michigan.
Contact Person: David Boyarski, Northern Lake Michigan Fisheries Supervisor, (920)746-2865
