Statement of Scope
Department of Natural Resources
Relating to: | Minor changes to fishing regulations on inland, outlying and boundary waters (the 2023 Fisheries Management housekeeping rule); Chs. NR 19 - 26 |
1. Finding/nature of emergency (Emergency Rule only):
This will be a permanent rule.
2. Detailed description of the objective of the proposed rule:
These rules are minor in nature and mainly clarify regulations, correct outdated
language and drafting errors, and address inconsistencies in administrative code
language. Specifically, these rules will amend fishing regulations found in Chs. NR 19-26, Wis. Admin. Code.
Items within this rule package may address the following:
1. Apply regulations that are consistent between connected waterbodies.
2. Make fish refuge dates consistent within certain counties when possible, and restore fish refuge boundaries that were removed in error.
3. Clarify that dead fish that have tested positive for a transmissible fish disease may not be used as bait.
4. Correct and update outdated or unclear boundaries, points of reference, and waterbody names, and correct drafting errors.
5. Correct inconsistencies in season dates within management zones and
between connected waters.
6. Create and revise definitions used in chs. NR 19 – 26 to better describe fishing regulations and activities.
7. Update cross-reference citations, road names on maps, and application forms
and make administrative code language consistent with recently enacted
legislation.
8. Update administrative code with regulation simplifications and alternate size or bag limits implemented in accordance with s. NR 20.35. 9. Specify that a person transporting fish taken during a fishing tournament is exempt from the possession limit for the species when the fish are being transported to a food distribution service as defined in s. 29.001 (28), Stats., to allow these fish to be properly utilized by food pantries. 10. The department may include other minor, non-controversial rule proposals
including ones which have passed at the annual Spring Fish and Wildlife
Hearings as advisory questions by the Conservation Congress or the department.
Additional rule changes of a similar nature to those discussed above may also be
considered.
3. Description of the existing policies relevant to the rule, new policies proposed to be included in the rule, and an analysis of policy alternatives:
Bag limits, season dates, harvest methods and size limits in various waters
throughout the state are outlined in ch. NR 20, Wis. Admin. Code. Chs. NR 21 – 23 describe current harvest regulations for both recreational and commercial
harvesters on Wisconsin’s boundary waters. Ch. NR 26 lists fish refuges of the state, and ch. NR 19 contains miscellaneous regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife. The proposed rules are compatible with existing policies that aim to regulate fish harvest for conservation purposes. These rules will have minimal impact on anglers.
