NR 25.09(1)(am)6.6. The licensee may not set or place gill nets in the waters of Lake Superior from a boat or watercraft from January 15 through March 31, except as authorized by the department in a permit issued under sub. (6).
NR 25.09(1)(am)7.7. The licensee may not set or place gill nets within one-quarter mile shoreward of the pot and lead of any entrapping net, except that if a trap net is set within one-quarter mile of a gill net, that gill net may continue to be lifted and reset in the same location.
NR 25.09(1)(ar)(ar)Gill nets - unrestricted size.The licensee may set gill nets with no restrictions on mesh size or the number of meshes in depth at any time during the year only in water more than 330 feet (55 fathoms) deep and only when set on the bottom.
NR 25.09(1)(as)(as)Gill net marking requirements.The licensee shall legibly mark each gill net with the license number or fleet reporting number of the license holder on each float or on each lead, and shall mark the bowls of the buoys on each end of the gang with the license number of the license holder in accordance with s. 29.516 (2) (d) 1., Stats.
NR 25.09(1)(av)(av)Gill net lifting requirements.The licensee shall lift each gill net a minimum of:
NR 25.09(1)(av)1.1. Once every 72 hours in open water less than 96 feet (16 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(1)(av)2.2. Once every 120 hours in open water 96 to 210 feet (16 to 35 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(1)(av)3.3. Once every 240 hours in open water more than 210 feet (35 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(1)(b)1.1. The licensee may use entrapping nets only when the pot or crib is set, placed, or operated in water not more than 90 feet (15 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(1)(b)2.2. The licensee may set, place, or operate entrapping nets only by permit issued under s. NR 25.10 (4) in that part of Lake Superior lying between a line extending due north of a point one mile east of the mouth of the Iron river in section 34, township 50 north, range 9 west, Bayfield county, and a line extending due north from the mouth of the Bad river in section 17, township 48 north, range 2 west, Ashland county, including all of the Apostle Islands area.
NR 25.09(1)(b)3.3. Each licensee may use up to 10 entrapping nets per license, as measured by the number of pots or cribs.
NR 25.09(1)(b)4.4. The licensee shall lift each entrapping net a minimum of once every 168 hours.
NR 25.09(1)(b)5.5. Each entrapping net shall have the fish holding pot portion rendered inoperable during the closed seasons for whitefish and lake trout and shall have the webbing removed from the water within 3 days after the close of the lake trout season.
NR 25.09(1)(b)6.6. The licensee may not place entrapping nets within one-half mile of any other entrapping net.
NR 25.09(1)(b)7.7. The licensee may not place or operate entrapping nets in the waters of Lake Superior during the months of April, May, June, July, August, and September if the mesh covering the top of the hearts of the nets is less than 14 inch stretch measure.
NR 25.09(1)(b)8.8. The licensee may not place or operate entrapping nets in the waters of Lake Superior from a boat or watercraft from November 28 through March 31.
NR 25.09(1)(b)9.9. A licensee fishing with entrapment nets in the area west of Bark Point known as WI-1 may harvest cisco, whitefish, and lake trout less than 25 inches in length, and only from April 1 to September 30.
NR 25.09(1)(b)10.10. The licensee may not place or operate entrapping nets within one mile of a designated trout stream.
NR 25.09(1)(b)11.11. The licensee shall mark and maintain each entrapping net with 2 flags, one above the other, on a single staff attached to the inside or shallow lead end of the net, one flag on a staff attached to the pot or lifting buoy, one flag on a staff attached to the anchor at the outward end of the king line, and one float measuring a minimum of 5 inches in diameter attached to the anchor at the outward end of each net wing. All staffs shall be marked with reflective tape. All flags shall measure not less than 9 inches high by 18 inches wide and shall be displayed so that the top edge of the flag is not less than 5 feet above the water, except that the lower of 2 flags on one staff shall be displayed so that the bottom edge is not less than 3 feet above the water. Two flags displayed on one staff shall be separated by not less than 6 inches. All floats and all flags except the flag attached to the king line anchor shall be of a highly visible color commonly referred to as hunter orange or blaze orange with a color range between 595 nm and 605 nm. The flag attached to the king line anchor shall be a dark color other than orange. The license number or fleet reporting number of the commercial fishing license holder shall be displayed and maintained in legible, block figures at least 1 inch high on the bowl of the pot or lifting buoy. Flags are not required October 16 through April 14.
NR 25.09(1)(bm)(bm)All nets.The following regulations shall apply to all nets:
NR 25.09(1)(bm)1.1. No net may be placed within one-quarter mile of any other net, except that if a trap net is set illegally within one-quarter mile of a legally placed gill net, that gill net may continue to be lifted and reset in the same location in accordance with par. (am) 7. Entrapment nets are further subject to s. NR 25.09 (1) (b) 6.
NR 25.09(1)(bm)2.2. Within 24 hours of setting any portion of a net, the net shall be fully deployed and actively fishing.
NR 25.09(1)(c)(c)Encircling nets and trawls. Encircling nets and trawls are prohibited.
NR 25.09(1)(d)(d)Disposition of fish caught in nets.All lake trout caught in gill nets not less than 4 6/₁₆ inch stretch measure set in waters less than 330 feet (55 fathoms) deep shall be kept and tagged except that, during November 28 through May 31, live lake trout may be released. Lake trout caught in gill nets in waters 330 feet (55 fathoms) deep or deeper or in entrapping nets may be returned to the lake or kept and tagged, except that dead lake trout 25 inches or less in length caught in entrapping nets shall be kept and tagged. All lake trout, dead or alive, larger than 25 inches in length caught in entrapping nets shall be returned to the lake. All lake trout and siscowet harvested by commercial and home use fishers shall be tagged in accordance with s. NR 25.06 (3).
NR 25.09(1)(e)(e)Ice buoy standards.Whenever ice may reasonably be expected to encroach upon fishing gear, in lieu of the requirements in s. NR 25.09, no commercial fisher may fish except with gear that meets the following standards:
NR 25.09(1)(e)1.1. Ice buoys shall have an overall minimum length of 12 feet.
NR 25.09(1)(e)2.2. At least two feet of any ice buoy shall extend above water with the license number of the commercial fisher visible.
NR 25.09(1)(e)3.3. The top foot of the above-water portion of an ice buoy shall be marked with the highly visible color known as hunter orange or blaze orange.
NR 25.09(2)(a)1.1.‘Gill nets of 13/4 inch stretch measure for smelt.’ For taking smelt only, a licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of not more than 13/4 inch stretch measure not exceeding 60 meshes in depth in Green Bay and 30 meshes in depth in Lake Michigan.
NR 25.09(2)(a)2.2.‘Gill nets of 23/8 to 21/2 inch stretch measure in southern Green Bay.’ In southern Green Bay only, a licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of not less than 23/8 inch and not more than 21/2 inch stretch measure not exceeding 60 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)3.3.‘Gill nets of 23/8 to 23/4 inch stretch measure in the southern chub fishing zone in Lake Michigan.’ In water more than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep in the southern chub fishing zone in Lake Michigan only except as provided in subd. 4., a licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of not less than 23/8 inch and not more than 23/4 inch stretch measure, and not less than 24 meshes and not more than 60 meshes in height.
NR 25.09(2)(a)4.4.‘Gill nets of 21/2 to 23/4 inch stretch measure.’ In any of the following areas and under the following conditions, a licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of not less than 21/2 inch and not more than 23/4 inch stretch measure:
NR 25.09(2)(a)4.a.a. For chubs in Lake Michigan, a licensee may use gill nets of 21/2 to 23/4 inch stretch measure in the northern chub fishing zone only and those nets may not exceed 60 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)4.b.b. For other legal fish species in Lake Michigan and Green Bay, a licensee may use gill nets of 21/2 to 23/4 inch stretch measure only in the areas and with the restrictions described under subd. 4. c. and d.
NR 25.09(2)(a)4.c.c. In Lake Michigan in waters less than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep outside the northern chub fishing zone, a licensee may use gill nets of 21/2 to 23/4 inch stretch measure only if the gill nets do not exceed 18 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)4.d.d. In Green Bay, or within the northern chub fishing zone, or in waters 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep or deeper in Lake Michigan, gill nets of 21/2 to 23/4 inch stretch measure may be used only if the gill nets do not exceed 60 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)6.6.‘Gill nets of 4 to 41/2 inch stretch measure in southern Green Bay.’ A licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of not less than 4 inch and not more than 41/2 inch stretch measure in southern Green Bay under all of the following conditions and in accordance with subd. 9.:
NR 25.09(2)(a)6.a.a. Gill nets of 4 to 41/2 inch stretch measure may be used only in water less than 30 feet (5 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(2)(a)6.c.c. Gill nets of 4 to 41/2 inch stretch measure may be used only from May 20 to March 9, except that these gill nets may not be used during the closed season for whitefish.
NR 25.09(2)(a)6.d.d. Gill nets of 4 to 41/2 inch stretch measure may not be more than 30 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)7.7.‘Gill nets greater than 4½ inch stretch measure to 6½ inch stretch measure.’ A licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size greater than 41/2 inch and not more than 61/2 inch stretch measure under all of the following conditions and in accordance with subd. 9.:
NR 25.09(2)(a)7.a.a. Gill nets of this size may be used in those waters of Lake Michigan lying north of a line extending from the mid-channel marker buoy of Bailey’s Harbor on 135° bearing.
NR 25.09(2)(a)7.c.c. Gill nets of this size may only be used during the open season for whitefish.
NR 25.09(2)(a)7.d.d. Gill nets of this size may not exceed 30 meshes in depth for one-half of the total length of these nets set at any time by a licensed commercial fisher, and the remaining half may not exceed 50 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)8.8.‘Gill nets greater than 61/2 inch stretch measure.’ A licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size greater than 6½ inch stretch measure under all of the following conditions and in accordance with subd. 9.:
NR 25.09(2)(a)8.b.b. Gill nets of this size may be used only during the open seasons for whitefish and yellow perch.
NR 25.09(2)(a)8.c.c. Gill nets of this size may not be more than 12 meshes in depth.
NR 25.09(2)(a)9.9.‘Total gill net length with gill nets of 4 inch or larger stretch measure.’ A licensee may use gill nets with a mesh size of 4 inch or larger stretch measure. The total length of gill nets used under each license may not exceed 12,000 feet at any one time.
NR 25.09(2)(a)10.10.‘Gill net lifting requirements.’ A licensee shall lift all gill nets within the following time intervals:
NR 25.09(2)(a)10.a.a. Once every 24 hours in open water less than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep for all mesh sizes in Green Bay.
NR 25.09(2)(a)10.am.am. Once every 24 hours in open water less than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep for mesh sizes greater than 23/4 inch stretch measure in Lake Michigan.
NR 25.09(2)(a)10.b.b. Once every 120 hours in open water 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep or deeper for mesh sizes of 23/4 or less inch stretch measure in Lake Michigan.
NR 25.09(2)(a)10.d.d. Once every 120 hours in open water less than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep for mesh sizes of 23/4 inch or less stretch measure in Lake Michigan.
NR 25.09(2)(b)1.1. A licensee may use drop nets and fyke nets under all of the following conditions:
NR 25.09(2)(b)1.a.a. A licensee may only use drop nets and fyke nets during the open season for yellow perch, except by permit issued under s. NR 25.10 (4).
NR 25.09(2)(b)1.b.b. The licensee may use up to 30 drop nets or fyke nets in aggregate under each license, as measured by the number of pots or cribs allowed.
NR 25.09(2)(b)1.c.c. The licensee shall lift drop and fyke nets a minimum of once every 72 hours.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.2. A licensee may use pound nets and trap nets under all of the following conditions:
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.a.a. Only when the pot or crib is set, placed or operated in water not more than 150 feet (25 fathoms) deep, except from June 29 to Labor Day south of a line extending from the Lake Michigan shoreline along 44º52’30” north latitude where the entire net, including the lead, is set, placed or operated in water not more than 150 feet (25 fathoms) or less than 60 feet (10 fathoms) deep.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.b.b. From the day following Labor Day to June 28, the licensee may use no more than 12 pound nets and trap nets in aggregate under each license, as measured by the number of pots or cribs, except in southern Green Bay as described under s. NR 25.102. From June 29 to Labor Day in the waters of Lake Michigan lying south of a line extending from the Lake Michigan shoreline along 44º52’30” north latitude, the licensee may use no more than 3 pound nets and trap nets in aggregate under each license, as measured by the number of pots or cribs, while north of this line the licensee may use no more than 12 pound nets and trap nets in aggregate under each license.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.c.c. The licensee shall lift nets under this subdivision a minimum of once every 120 hours.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.d.d. Each net shall have the fish holding or pot portion rendered inoperable during the closed season for whitefish and shall have the webbing removed from the water within 14 days after the close of the whitefish season.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.e.e. From June 29 through Labor Day, a licensee may not use pound nets or trap nets in Lake Michigan between 44º52’30” north latitude and 44º08’55” north latitude, between 44º05’33” north latitude and 43º40’50” north latitude, and south of 43º34’39” north latitude. Unless the department has granted an extension of time, the licensee shall remove the webbing of each pound net and each trap net from the water by June 28 and may not reinstall it until the day after Labor Day. If adverse weather conditions or unanticipated equipment problems prevent removal of the webbing by June 28, a licensee may request and the department may grant a brief extension of time sufficient to allow safe removal. See map for details.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.f.f. The licensee shall mark each pound or trap net with 2 flags, one above the other, on a single staff attached to the inside or shallow lead end of the net, one flag on a staff attached to the pot or lifting buoy, one flag on a staff attached to the anchor at the outward end of the king line, and one float measuring a minimum of 5 inches in diameter attached to the anchor at the outward end of each net wing. All staffs shall be marked with reflective tape. All flags shall measure not less than 9 inches high by 18 inches wide and shall be displayed so that the top edge of the flag is not less than 5 feet above the water, except that the lower of 2 flags on one staff shall be displayed so that the bottom edge is not less than 3 feet above the water. Two flags displayed on one staff shall be separated by not less than 6 inches. All floats and all flags required under this subd. 2. f. except the flag attached to the king line anchor shall be of a highly visible color commonly referred to as hunter orange or blaze orange with a color range between 595 nm and 605 nm. The flag attached to the king line anchor shall be a dark color other than orange. The license number or fleet reporting number of the commercial fishing license holder shall be displayed and maintained in legible, block figures at least 1 inch high on the bowl of the pot or lifting buoy. Flags are not required October 16 through April 14.
NR 25.09(2)(b)2.g.g. A licensee may use pound nets and trap nets for legal fish species in Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
NR 25.09(2)(c)(c)Seines. A licensee may use seines. Seines shall have a mesh size of not less than 3 inch stretch measure and shall be at least 75 feet in length.
NR 25.09(2)(d)1.1. In southern Green Bay north of a line from the southernmost point of Little Tail point to the Green Bay navigation channel entrance light at 87º54′4.176″ west longitude, 44º39′11.088″ north latitude only, a licensee may use trawls only under the following provisions:
NR 25.09(2)(d)1.b.b. A licensee trawling under this subdivision may only use trawls in water more than 65 feet deep.
NR 25.09(2)(d)1.d.d. A licensee trawling under this subdivision shall use diverters with openings no larger than 7/8 inch wide.
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.2. In Lake Michigan, a licensee may use trawls under all of the following conditions:
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.a.a. A licensee may use trawls only in waters 60 feet (10 fathoms) deep or deeper bounded by a line beginning at a point where 44º 30′ north latitude intersects with the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan, then proceeding east along 44º 30′ north latitude, to its intersection with 87º 10′ west longitude, then proceeding south along 87º 10′ west longitude to its intersection with 44º 10’ north latitude then proceeding west along 44º 10’ north latitude to its intersection with 87º 20′ west longitude, then proceeding south along 87º 20′ west longitude to its intersection with 43º 50′ north latitude, then proceeding west along 43º 50’ north latitude to its intersection with 87º 40′ west longitude, then proceeding north along 87º 40′ west longitude to its intersection with 44º 00′ north latitude, then proceeding west along 44º 00′ north latitude to the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan and then north along the shore to the point of beginning. This area can also be described as all of grids 1105, 1205, 1304, 1403 and 1404, and part of grids 1104, 1204, and 1303. See map for details.
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.b.b. A licensee may use trawls for taking smelt as provided in s. NR 25.06 (2) (c) except chubs may be harvested during the trawling season for smelt, subject to s. NR 25.07 (2) (a), and whitefish may be harvested subject to the requirements in this subdivision and s. NR 25.09 (2m).
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.c.c. Beginning July 1, 1991, when used to harvest smelt in Lake Michigan, diverters with openings no larger than 11/2 inch wide shall be used.
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.d.d. Until October 31, 2025, whitefish may be taken by trawling from December 1 to August 31 from one hour before sunrise to one hour before sunset. Trawls shall consist of a head rope height not greater than 45 meters. The wing mesh shall not be less than 4.5 inches stretch measure. The beginning of the trawl bag where it attaches to the wing shall not be less than 2 inches stretch measure and not greater than 4.5 inches stretch measure and shall have a fishing circle not greater than 250 meshes. The cod end of the trawl bag shall not be less than 4.5 inches stretch measure and shall begin with a fishing circle not greater than 80 meshes. The net shall be composed of twine material capable of remaining open under tension. No trawl may be deployed for longer than one hour per drag, measured from the time the trawl door enters the water until the time the trawl door leaves the water upon retrieval.
NR 25.09(2)(d)2.e.e. Any person taking whitefish using a trawl under this subdivision shall submit commercial fishing reports on whitefish subject to the requirements in s. NR 25.13 (2), and on incidental harvest subject to the requirements in s. NR 25.13 (2) (g).
NR 25.09(2m)(2m)Video surveillance.A licensee taking whitefish using a trawl under sub. (2) (d) 2. shall capture a video record of the on-board activity on any vessel engaged in trawling for whitefish as provided in this subsection. The licensee shall comply with all the video surveillance system requirements in this subsection unless the licensee notifies the department of a system malfunction as described in subd. 3. The video record shall be made by using a video surveillance system that complies with all of the following requirements:
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.
