Chapter 29

29.701(1)(d) (d) The transportation of fish into or through this state or out of it by the commissioners of fisheries of other states or of the United States.

29.701(1)(e) (e) The transportation and sale of farm-raised fish.

29.701(2) (2) The department may not furnish fish from state hatcheries to private ponds, private clubs, corporations or preserves, and may not introduce, stock or plant them in waters where the general public is not allowed the rights and privileges enjoyed by any individual.

29.701(3) (3) An operator of a fish farm, or an employee of the operator, may capture turtles that are on the fish farm, transport them to different locations and release them into the wild.

29.701 History History: 1997 a. 27, 237; 1997 a. 248 s. 554; Stats. 1997 s. 29.701.

29.701 Annotation Under ss. 29.50 [now this section] and 30.77, the department may refuse to stock waters where public access is inadequate. 68 Atty. Gen. 233.

29.705 29.705 Propagation of fish; removal of fish.

29.705(1) (1) Transplantation of fish. The department may take or authorize to be taken fish at any time of the year from any waters of the state for stocking other waters or for the purpose of securing eggs for propagation. These fish or eggs may be taken only under a permit issued by the department and only in the presence of an employee or agent of the department. The permit shall specify the kinds of fish that may be taken and the manner in which they may be taken.

29.705(2) (2) Furnishing fish; access to stocked waters.

29.705(2)(a) (a) The department may not furnish fish or fish eggs from state hatcheries to private ponds, private clubs, corporations, or preserves unless the private pond, private club, corporation, or preserve is located in this state and has entered into an agreement with the department and the fish or the fish grown from the fish eggs will ultimately be stocked, into waters of the state where the general public is allowed, according to any applicable permits and certificates, and, if the private pond, private club, corporation, or preserve is a fish farm, the fish farm is registered with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. If the private pond, private club, corporation, or preserve creates more fish from fish eggs provided under this paragraph than are required under its agreement with the department, the excess fish are not required to ultimately be stocked into waters of the state where the general public is allowed.

29.705(2)(b) (b) The department may not plant fish from state hatcheries in waters where the general public is not allowed the rights and privileges enjoyed by any individual.

29.705(3) (3) Delivery of fish eggs. Any person fishing in any waters of this state shall deliver, on demand, to the department or its agent any fish for the purpose of being stripped of their eggs and milt. The department or its agent shall, immediately after having stripped the fish, return them to the person from whom received. The department or its agent may enter any boats, docks, grounds or other places where the fish may be, for the purpose of stripping them while alive, and the person possessing the fish shall render any assistance that may be necessary to expedite the work of mixing the eggs and milt for proper impregnation.

29.705(4) (4) Destruction of fish eggs or fish.

29.705(4)(a) (a) The department may seize or destroy, or both, any fish, or any fish eggs, found to be infected with any disease organisms as are designated by the department.

29.705(4)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not authorize the department of natural resources to remove fish or fish eggs from a self-contained fish rearing facility or from a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water unless the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has requested that the department of natural resources remove the fish or fish eggs to address a problem affecting fish health.

29.705(5) (5) Removal of fish eggs or fish from state. No person may remove any fish eggs or live fish from this state except as authorized by law or pursuant to a permit issued by the department. This subsection does not apply to farm-raised fish or eggs from farm-raised fish.

29.705(6) (6) Fishing for propagation purposes. For the purposes of catching wild fish from the public waters for purposes of artificial propagation or for introduction, stocking or planting in fish farms, no person may take or have possession or control of any kind of fish unless par. (a) or (b) applies:

29.705(6)(a) (a) The person has the approvals required under this chapter to take, possess or control that kind of fish.

29.705(6)(b) (b) The person has been otherwise authorized by the department to take, possess or control that kind of fish.

29.705 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 557, 563 to 570, 700; 2017 a. 21.

29.707 29.707 Propagation of fish; department rules.

29.707(1) (1) The department shall promulgate rules that do all of the following:

29.707(1)(a) (a) Define the role and extent that genetics is involved in the department’s fish stocking strategies.

29.707(1)(b) (b) Standardize the department’s fish donation procedures.

29.707(2) (2) The department and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall review the departments’ rules relating to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, and shall promulgate new rules as the departments determine are necessary.

29.707(3) (3) The department, with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, shall assess the efficiency and utility of the fish hatchery classification system under rules promulgated by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall promulgate new rules as it determines are necessary.

29.707(4) (4) The department shall assess the viability and use of bait fish and forage fish and of the continued classification of bait fish and forage fish as established nonnative fish species, and shall promulgate new rules as it determines are necessary.

29.707(5) (5) The department shall consider economic factors, healthy fish populations, and fishing opportunities, and shall consult with interested parties, including fishing groups and the aquaculture industry, when promulgating rules under this section.

29.707(6) (6) The final draft of a proposed rule under this section shall be submitted under s. 227.19 (2) no later than June 28, 2019.

29.707 History History: 2017 a. 21.

29.709 29.709 State fish hatcheries. The department may operate state fish hatcheries and may do all of the following:

29.709(1) (1) Breed and propagate fish of such species and varieties as it determines to be of value.

29.709(2) (2) Distribute information regarding the propagation and conservation of fish.

29.709(3) (3) Manage the state fish hatcheries and all other property held by the state for the propagation of fish.

29.709(4) (4) Subject to s. 95.60, receive from any person all fish eggs or fish donated to the state or purchased, and procure, receive, exchange, distribute and dispose of fish eggs and fish.

29.709(5) (5) Transfer the carcasses of lake sturgeon from state fish hatcheries as part of routine rearing practices to be used in raffles as provided in s. 29.630.

29.709 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 558, 559, 561; 2021 a. 193.

29.713 29.713 Trespass to state fish hatchery. Whoever does any of the following without proper authority shall be subject to the penalties under s. 29.971 (1):

29.713(1) (1) Enters upon the grounds of a state fish hatchery for the purpose of killing or taking fish.

29.713(2) (2) Kills or takes fish from any waters or grounds of a state fish hatchery.

29.713(3) (3) Injures any fish, or interferes harmfully with the ponds, streams, troughs or other property of a state fish hatchery.

29.713 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1985 a. 29; 1997 a. 248 s. 580; Stats. 1997 s. 29.713.

29.717 29.717 Trespass on riparian land. In an action against a person for damages sustained from trespassing on lands bordering streams stocked by the consent of the owner of the lands, with fish received from a state hatchery, where the damage exceeds $2, the trespasser is liable for double the amount of the damage and all of the taxable costs; and where the damage is $2 or less the trespasser shall be liable for the amount of the damage and costs not to exceed the amount of the damage.

29.717 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 682; Stats. 1997 s. 29.717.

29.733 29.733 Natural waters used in fish farms.

29.733(1d) (1d) In this section:

29.733(1d)(a) (a) “Artificial water body” has the meaning given in s. 30.19 (1b) (a).

29.733(1d)(b) (b) “Natural body of water” means a spring, stream, pond, lake, or wetland that was historically present in a natural state but may have been physically altered over time.

29.733(1h) (1h) No person may use a natural body of water as a fish farm or as part of a fish farm unless all of the following apply:

29.733(1h)(a) (a) The land that is riparian to the body of water is owned, leased or controlled by the owners of the fish farm.

29.733(1h)(b) (b) None of the owners of the fish farm or of the riparian land provides access to the body of water to the public by means of an easement or other right-of-way or by means of a business open to the public, except that the owners of the fish farm may allow fishing by the public for a fee.

29.733(1h)(c) (c) The body of water is one of the following:

29.733(1h)(c)1. 1. A freeze-out pond.

29.733(1h)(c)2. 2. A preexisting fish rearing facility.

29.733(1h)(c)3. 3. A body of water for which the department has issued a permit under s. 30.19, 30.195, or 31.04.

29.733(1h)(c)4. 4. An artificial water body that is used as a fish farm that is registered with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection on June 25, 2017, or as part of a fish farm that is registered with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection on June 25, 2017, regardless of its water source, including an artificial water body that is fed by a spring.

29.733(1h)(d) (d) If the department has not issued a permit for the body of water under s. 30.19, 30.195, or 31.04, a permit for the body of water has been issued under sub. (2).

29.733(1m) (1m) The department shall post notice of every application submitted to the department under this section on the department’s Internet website.

29.733(2) (2) 

29.733(2)(a) (a) The department, subject to s. 29.024 (2g) and (2r), shall issue a permit under this subsection for a natural body of water specified under sub. (1h) (c) 1. if the department determines that no substantial public interest exists in the body of water and that no public or private rights in the body of water will be damaged.

29.733(2)(b) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), for a freeze-out pond that is licensed as a private fish hatchery, or as part of a private fish hatchery, under s. 29.52, 1995 stats., on January 1, 1998, or for a natural body of water as described under sub. (1h) (c) 2., the department shall issue an initial permit without making the determination under par. (a).

29.733(2)(c) (c) Subject to s. 29.024 (2g) and (2r), a permit issued under this subsection does not expire unless the department determines that there has been a substantial change in circumstances that is related to a determination made under par. (a) for the natural body of water or that is related to the application of the criteria promulgated under par. (f) to the body of water.

29.733(2)(d) (d) If the department denies a permit under par. (a), (b) or (c), the department shall issue written findings supporting the reason for the denial that are based on the criteria promulgated under par. (f).

29.733(2)(e) (e) The department may suspend a permit for a body of water specified in sub. (1h) (c) 2. for 90 days if the department finds that the permit holder has failed to adequately maintain the fish barriers and may revoke the permit if the department determines that the failure to adequately maintain the barriers has not been corrected within the 90-day period.

29.733(2)(f) (f) The department shall promulgate rules to establish the fees, criteria and procedures to be used in issuing permits under this subsection. The rules may not require the department, before issuing a permit under this subsection, to hold a hearing or to provide notice to any person, other than the applicant, that the department will proceed on an application for a permit without a hearing.

29.733(3) (3) This section does not apply to any of the following:

29.733(3)(a) (a) A person who places a net pen in a natural body of water for the purpose of holding or rearing fish in accordance with a general permit issued under s. 30.12 (3) (b).

29.733(3)(b) (b) A person who holds a permit under sub. (2) and who takes no action in the natural body of water other than maintaining the fish farm facility, including maintaining ponds, raceways, ditches, canals, berms, swales, drains, pipes, and other structures, drainage areas, and flowage controls within the facility.

29.733 History History: 1997 a. 27, 191, 237; 1997 a. 248 s. 581; Stats; 1997 s. 29.733; 1999 a. 32; 2011 a. 207; 2013 a. 75; 2017 a. 21; 2017 a. 365 s. 112.

29.733 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 19.01, 19.90, 19.91, 19.92, 19.93, 19.94, and 19.95, Wis. adm. code.

29.734 29.734 Barriers required for fish farms. No person may use any body of water as a fish farm or as part of a fish farm unless the body of water is equipped with barriers that prevent the passage of fish between it and the other waters of the state.

29.734 History History: 1997 a. 237; 1999 a. 32 s. 65; Stats. 1997 s. 29.734.

29.735 29.735 Importation of fish.

29.735(1) (1) No person may bring into this state any fish, or fish eggs, of a species that is not native to this state for the purpose of introduction into the waters of the state, as defined in s. 281.01 (18), of use as bait or of rearing in a fish farm without having a permit issued by the department.

29.735(2) (2) A person applying for a permit under this section shall submit a written application to the department.

29.735(3) (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the importation of fish by the department.

29.735(4) (4) For the purpose of issuing permits under this section, the department may not require that any testing, inspection or investigation be performed concerning the health of the fish.

29.735 History History: 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 582; Stats. 1997 s. 29.735.

29.735 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.05, Wis. adm. code.

29.736 29.736 Stocking of fish.

29.736(1) (1) In this section:

29.736(1)(a) (a) “Fish” includes fish eggs.

29.736(1)(b) (b) “Qualified inspector” means a veterinarian licensed under ch. 89 or a person who is qualified to provide evidence of fish health under s. 95.60 (4s) (c).

29.736(1)(c) (c) “Waters of the state” does not include preexisting fish rearing facilities that are artificial bodies of water or self-contained fish rearing facilities.

29.736(2) (2) 

29.736(2)(a) (a) No person may introduce, stock or plant any fish in the waters of the state unless all of the following apply:

29.736(2)(a)1. 1. The person has a permit issued by the department.

29.736(2)(a)2. 2. The fish have been certified by a qualified inspector to meet the fish health standards and requirements promulgated under s. 95.60 (4s) (b).

29.736(2)(a)3. 3. The fish is not a species of lake sturgeon.