MADISON, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) — New fishing regulations are set to start on April 1st across Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources update the state-wide fishing rules.
“This year we have a fairly broad package of rule changes that will be going into affect,” said Meredith Penthorn, policy specialist for Bureau of Fisheries Management.
Penthorn said many of the regulations impact the entire state — like changing the catch and release Bass season to year-round for most waters.
Updated regulations happen every two years after a process of public suggestions, comment and biologist review.
“It's kind of a combination of what the scientific information and what the local public wants to see happen there,” Penthorn said.
Several of the changes lower bag limits for fish in several parts of the state. Something Wally Banfi, assistant manager at Wilderness Fish and Game and radio host of Ultimate Outdoors Radio, was happy to see.
“I think it's time, there are so many good anglers now,” Banfi said. “People are very efficient with the new boats, better electronics, side imaging, GPS, real detailed maps, and the fisherman have become so skilled that we need to protect our resources, small lakes can be fished out or fished down.”
Banfi and Wilderness Fish and Game are gearing up for the season, they will host their 37th annual free fishing clinic on Saturday. He said most of the people in the store are as supportive of the bag limits as he is.
“So we do a better job of maintaining the resource,” Banfi said.
Stores like Wilderness Fish and Game are often partners with the DNR when it comes to explaining new rules. However, Penthorn said the DNR still encourages anglers to look up new rules online.
“We encourage people to check our fishing regulations for details on those,” she said, the rules are listed online: https://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/Article/?id=4735
Penthorn said changes along the Mississippi River, border waters along the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in the Winnebago System also could impact a lot of anglers.