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2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.347 - Possession of deer and elk; heads and skins.

29.347
Possession of deer and elk; heads and skins.
(2)
Elk carcass tags; deer and elk registration. Any person who kills an elk shall immediately validate an elk carcass tag. Except as provided under sub. (2m), no person may possess, control, store, transport, transfer, or dispose of an elk carcass unless an elk carcass tag has been validated in the manner required by the department. A person who kills a deer or an elk shall register the deer or elk in the manner required by the department. No person may possess, control, store, transport, transfer, or dispose of a deer or elk carcass unless in compliance with rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3).
(2m)
Removal and retention of tags.
(a)
The person who killed or obtained an animal shall ensure that the validated carcass tag under sub. (2) and a registration tag or confirmation number issued by the department accompany the carcass until the time of butchering. After butchering, the person who killed or obtained the animal shall retain all tags and the confirmation number until the meat is consumed.
(b)
Subject to sub. (6), any person who retains a tag under par. (a) or who complies with s. 29.349 (2) (bm), if applicable, may give deer or elk meat to another person. The person who receives a gift of elk meat is not required to possess a tag.
(3)
Heads and skins. Except as provided in sub. (6), the control or possession of the head or skin of any deer or elk lawfully killed, when severed from the rest of the carcass, are not subject to this chapter.
(4)
Antlers removed or broken. Any deer from which the antlers have been removed, broken, shed, or altered so as to make determination of the legality of the deer impossible is an illegal deer if the deer is taken during an open season for hunting only antlered deer or during an open season for hunting only antlerless deer. Any elk from which the antlers have been removed, broken, shed, or altered so as to make determination of the legality of the elk impossible is an illegal elk if the elk is taken during an open season for hunting only antlered elk or during an open season for hunting antlerless elk.
(6)
Control of carcasses. No person may transport, possess, store, butcher, or control the carcass of a cervid in violation of rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3) or (4).
History:  1975 c. 97, 199; 1983 a. 546; 1991 a. 269, 316; 1995 a. 79, 126; 1997 a. 248 s. 504; Stats. 1997 s. 29.347; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16, 56, 109; 2003 a. 247, 321; 2005 a. 286; 2011 a. 251; 2015 a. 55, 89; 2017 a. 59; 2017 a. 365 s. 110.
Only the tag of the person who kills the deer may be attached under sub. (2). State v. Skow, 141 Wis. 2d 49, 413 N.W.2d 650 (Ct. App. 1987).
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.351 - Skins of fur-bearing animals.

29.351
Skins of fur-bearing animals.
(1g)
No person may possess or control the skin of any mink, muskrat, fisher, pine marten, or otter showing that the animal was shot.
(1m)
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b), or unless otherwise authorized by the department, no person may possess or control the green skin of any fur-bearing animal from the 5th day after the beginning of the closed season for that animal until the end of that closed season.
(b)
Paragraph (a) does not apply to any of the following:
1.
A fur-bearing animal that was lawfully taken and that has a valid registration tag attached to it by the department.
2.
A fur-bearing animal that is taken as authorized under s. 29.337.
3.
A fur-bearing animal that was lawfully taken for which an open season is established by rule and for which no bag or possession limit is imposed by rule.
(1r)
No person may possess the raw skin of any muskrat, mink, otter, fisher, or pine marten at any time unless the person is the holder of a valid scientific collector permit, fur dealer license, trapping license, mentored trapping license, or resident conservation patron license. No license is required for a person breeding, raising, and producing domestic fur-bearing animals in captivity, as defined in s. 29.627, or for a person authorized to take muskrats on a cranberry marsh under a permit issued to the person by the department.
(2m)
Subsections (1g) to (1r) do not apply to the skins of fur-bearing animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.
History:  1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 27; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 507; Stats. 1997 s. 29.351; 2001 a. 56; 2009 a. 38; 2017 a. 343.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.354 - Possession of game birds and animals.

29.354
Possession of game birds and animals.
(1)
Approval necessary. No person may possess or have under his or her control any game bird or game animal or the carcass of any game bird or game animal unless the person has a valid hunting license, sports license, conservation patron license, taxidermist permit, or scientific collector permit. This subsection does not apply to a person who takes possession of a bear, deer, or wild turkey under s. 29.349 (2) (a) and who complies with the requirements under s. 29.349 (2) (b) or (bm), as applicable.
(2)
Nests and eggs.
(a)
Except as provided in par. (b), no person may take, needlessly destroy or possess or have under his or her control the nest or eggs of any wild bird for which a closed season is prescribed under this chapter.
(b)
A person who has a valid scientific collector permit may take or possess or have under his or her control the nest of a wild bird and may destroy the nest if necessary for a scientific purpose.
(3)
Mounted collections. This section does not permit seizure of or prohibit possession or sale of lawfully obtained wild birds and animals which are mounted or in the process of being mounted for a private collection.
(5)
Captive wild animals. This section does not apply to farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, fish produced in a municipal fish hatchery, farm-raised game birds, or wild animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.
History:  1973 c. 214; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 509 to 511; Stats. 1997 s. 29.354; 2001 a. 56; 2011 a. 251; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.357 - Transportation; general provisions.

29.357
Transportation; general provisions.
(1)
During closed season. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, no person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game or game fish or carcass at any time other than during the open season for the game or game fish and 3 days thereafter. Whenever any game or game fish or carcass is offered to any person for transportation at any time other than during the open season therefor and 3 days thereafter, the person shall immediately notify the department or its wardens of the offer and by whom made.
(2)
Trunks; valises. No person may carry or control in any trunk, valise, or other package or enclosure, at any time on any common carrier, any game or game fish, or carcass.
(3)
Transportation employees. No employee of any railroad, express or other transportation company, and no steward, porter or other employee of any dining, parlor or sleeping car may have possession or control of, at any time while on duty, any game or game fish, or carcass.
(4)
Labeling game shipments. No person shall transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive for transportation, any package or parcel containing any wild animal or carcass, unless the package or parcel is labeled in plain letters on the address side of the package or parcel with the name and address of the consignor, the name and address of the consignee, and the number of pounds of each kind of fish or the number of each variety of other wild animals; or carcasses contained in the package or parcel; and unless the consignor is the owner of the shipment and delivers to the common carrier with the package or parcel, either personally, or by agent, a writing signed by the consignor personally, stating that the consignor is the owner of the shipment.
(4m)
Control of cervid carcasses. No person may transport, cause to be transported, deliver, receive, offer to deliver or receive, or control the carcass of a cervid in violation of rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3) or (4).
(5)
Exemptions.
(a)
Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who possesses, transports, causes to be transported, delivers or receives, or offers to deliver or receive, a wild animal carcass in connection with his or her business.
(b)
Subsections (1) to (4m) do not apply to the possession, transportation, delivery, or receipt of farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, fish produced in a municipal fish hatchery, farm-raised game birds, or wild animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.
History:  1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 269, 316; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 516, 517; Stats. 1997 s. 29.357; 2001 a. 56; 2005 a. 286; 2013 a. 20.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.361 - Transportation of deer or elk.

29.361
Transportation of deer or elk.
(1)
No common carrier may receive for transportation or transport or attempt to transport any deer or elk or the carcass of any deer or elk except as provided in this section.
(2m)
Any person may transport an antlerless deer killed under the authority of his or her hunter's choice, bonus, or other deer hunting permit on any highway, as defined s. 340.01 (22), in order to register the deer in the deer management area where the deer was killed or in an adjoining management area.
(3)
The place of delivery of any shipment authorized under this section by a resident shall be within the state and by a nonresident shall be either within the state or at his or her residence outside the state.
(3m)
Notwithstanding subs. (1), (2m), (3), and (5), no person may receive for transportation, transport, or attempt to transport the carcass of a cervid in violation of rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3).
(4)
This section does not apply to a bona fide public zoo.
(5)
This section does not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who is transporting, attempting to transport, or receiving the carcass of a deer or elk in connection with his or her business.
History:  1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 111; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 248 s. 522; Stats. 1997 s. 29.361; 1997 a. 249 s. 37; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 286; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 365.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.364 - Transportation of game birds.

29.364
Transportation of game birds.
(1)
Transportation. No common carrier may receive for transportation or transport or attempt to transport any game bird or carcass of a game bird except as provided in this section.
(2)
Residents. Any resident who has all of the required hunting approvals may transport in the resident's personal possession the legal daily bag limit or possession limit of any game birds for which an open season has been provided to any point within the state.
(3)
Nonresidents. Any nonresident who has all of the required hunting approvals may transport in the nonresident's personal possession the legal daily bag limit or possession limit of game birds for which an open season has been provided from any point within the state to any point within or without the state.
(4)
Migratory birds.
(a)
In this subsection “migratory game bird" means any bird defined as such by the secretary of the interior in the code of federal regulations.
(b)
No person may transport any migratory game bird for which open seasons are prescribed, unless the head or one fully feathered wing remains attached to each bird while being transported from the place where taken to the personal residence of the possessor or to a commercial preservation facility.
(5)
Exemption; taxidermists. Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who is transporting the carcass of a game bird in connection with his or her business.
History:  1975 c. 360; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 248 s. 523; Stats. 1997 s. 29.364.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.401 - Possession of fishing equipment.

29.401
Possession of fishing equipment.
(1)
(a)
No person may possess or control at any time any trammel, gill, or hoop net, or any other kind of net, nets, or fish trap that might take, catch or kill fish in the counties of: Adams, Barron, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Polk, Portage, Price, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood except minnow nets and minnow traps, whitefish and cisco nets, dip nets, crab traps and turtle traps as provided in this chapter or by department order.
(b)
Nothing in this subsection prohibits the department or its agents from having in possession, using, or causing the use of, any kind of nets as provided under other sections in the statutes, or prohibits the possession or use of nets by contract fishers who are operating under the supervision of the department.
(c)
This subsection does not apply to any net or trap used to take, catch or kill farm-raised fish.
(2m)
The department may not promulgate or enforce a rule that prohibits persons from possessing barbed hooks while fishing for trout in inland trout waters, as defined in s. 29.2285 (1) (a), during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on the Friday immediately preceding the first Saturday in the following May.
History:  1985 a. 332; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 446, 447; Stats. 1997 s. 29.401; 1999 a. 178; 2005 a. 25.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.404 - Fishing shanties on ice, regulation.

29.404
Fishing shanties on ice, regulation.
(1)
Public nuisance; removal. Any building, vehicle, tent, fish shanty or similar shelter that is used or left on the ice in violation of any department order or that has fallen through the ice is a public nuisance. The department shall notify the owner, if known. If after the expiration of 10 days after notice is given the owner does not claim the nuisance, the department may destroy or sell the nuisance in the name of the state.
(2)
Reimbursement for department costs. If the department destroys or sells the building, vehicle, tent, fish shanty or similar shelter that is a public nuisance, the owner shall reimburse the department for all costs associated with the seizure and destruction or sale of the public nuisance. The department shall give the owner written notice containing the amount of costs to be reimbursed and a statement that the owner must reimburse these costs to the department within 20 days after the notice is given.
(3)
Forfeiture. If the owner does not reimburse these costs to the department within 20 days after the notice is given under sub. (2), the owner shall forfeit not more than $100.
History:  1989 a. 359; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 248 ss. 443 to 445; Stats. 1997 s. 29.404.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.405 - Fishing with bow and arrow or crossbow.

29.405
Fishing with bow and arrow or crossbow.
(1)
No person may do any of the following:
(a)
Take rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow or take rough fish or catfish with a bolt from a crossbow unless the arrow or bolt is equipped with a metal barbed tip and is attached to the bow or crossbow with a tethered line that allows for the retrieval of the arrow or bolt and the fish.
(b)
Release or return any rough fish or catfish taken with a bow and arrow or crossbow, whether dead or alive, to the waters of this state.
(c)
Leave any rough fish or catfish taken with a bow and arrow or crossbow, whether dead or alive, on the ice or banks of any waters of this state.
(2)
Any person who takes rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow or crossbow in any waters of this state shall remove the fish from those waters and use or dispose of the fish in an appropriate manner as determined by the department.
(3)
If the department establishes an open season for taking rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow or crossbow on a particular body of water, the department shall allow the taking of rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow or crossbow on that body of water from sunset to sunrise during that open season.
(4)
If the department establishes an open season for taking rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow on a particular body of water, the department shall also allow the use of a crossbow to take rough fish or catfish on that body of water under the same conditions that apply to the use of a bow and arrow to take rough fish or catfish on that body of water.
(5)
The department may not promulgate or enforce a rule that prohibits a person from taking rough fish or catfish with a bow and arrow or a crossbow. This subsection does not prohibit the department from promulgating or enforcing a rule that establishes bag or length limits, season dates, zones, or any other limitations applicable to rough fish or catfish if the rule is consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
History:  2005 a. 291; 2007 a. 97; 2011 a. 180; 2017 a. 297.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.406 - Fishing by hand.

29.406
Fishing by hand.
The department may not promulgate or enforce a rule that prohibits a person from taking rough fish or catfish by hand. This section does not prohibit the department from promulgating or enforcing a rule that establishes bag or length limits, season dates, zones, or any other limitations applicable to rough fish or catfish if the rule is consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
History:  2017 a. 297.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.407 - Transportation of fish.

29.407
Transportation of fish.
(1)
From inland waters.
(a)
No person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game fish taken from inland waters unless the person complies with all applicable requirements under pars. (b) and (c).
(b)
All fish that are subject to a minimum size limit and are taken by hook and line may be transported with the head or tail, or both, removed and may be filleted before being transported, but only if the dressed or filleted fish continues to meet the minimum size limit. A dressed fish shall remain in one piece with the skin and scales intact. The skin and scales shall remain on a filleted fish.
(c)
A box, package or container of fish transported by common carrier shall contain fish of only one owner.
(2)
From outlying waters.
(a)
No person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game fish taken from outlying waters unless the person complies with all applicable requirements under pars. (b) and (d).
(b)
1.
In this paragraph, “ fresh fish" means any fish that has not been frozen or smoked.
2.
No fresh fish of any variety except lawfully taken suckers may be shipped from any port located on outlying waters during the closed season for the fish, except the first 3 days of the closed season.
(d)
All fish which are subject to a minimum size limit and are taken by hook and line may be transported with the head or tail, or both, removed and may be filleted before being transported, but only if the dressed or filleted fish continues to meet the minimum size limit. A dressed fish shall remain in one piece with the skin and scales intact. The skin and scales shall remain on a filleted fish.
(3)
Shipments from inland points. Any shipment of game fish of any variety originating at any point in this state other than ports located on outlying waters is subject to this section governing the transportation of game fish taken from inland waters.
(4)
Injurious fish. No live rough fish except goldfish, dace and suckers may be transported into or within the state without a permit from the department, except any person authorized by a state contract to remove rough fish pursuant to s. 29.421 may transport rough fish taken by the person under the authority of the contract.
(5)
Exemptions.
(a)
This section does not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who is transporting fish in connection with the person's business.
(b)
This section does not apply to the transportation, delivery, receipt or shipping of farm-raised fish or fish produced in a municipal fish hatchery.
History:  1971 c. 266; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 49; 1989 a. 56; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 524 to 537; Stats. 1997 s. 29.407; 2005 a. 288; 2013 a. 20.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.411 - Cooperation during a fish census.

29.411
Cooperation during a fish census.
A person who is fishing shall cooperate with an employee of the department when the employee is involved in taking a fish census. Section 29.971 does not apply to this section.
History:  1997 a. 248 s. 573.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.414 - Erection of barriers to exclude rough fish.

29.414
Erection of barriers to exclude rough fish.
The department may erect and maintain or authorize erection and maintenance of a screen or similar barrier in any navigable stream for the purpose of preventing rough fish or other undesirable fish from invading any part of the stream, if the screen or barrier does not unreasonably interfere with navigation.
History:  1997 a. 248 s. 571.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.421 - Removal of rough fish.

29.421
Removal of rough fish.
The department may take rough fish by means of seines, nets or other devices, or cause rough fish to be taken, from any of the waters of this state, other than waters in a self-contained fish rearing facility or in a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water. Whenever the department takes rough fish under this section it shall dispose of the fish in any manner that it determines to be appropriate.
History:  1971 c. 266; 1977 c. 418; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1997 a. 248 ss. 676, 677; Stats. 1997 s. 29.421; 1999 a. 32.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.424 - Control of detrimental fish.

29.424
Control of detrimental fish.
(1)
When the department finds that any species of fish is detrimental to any of the waters of the state it may designate the species of fish and specify the waters in which the species of fish is found to be detrimental. The department may remove or cause to be removed detrimental fish of the species designated from the waters specified.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not authorize the department to remove fish from a self-contained fish rearing facility or from a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water unless one or more of the following apply:
(a)
The fish are of a species that is not native to this state and the department determines that having the fish in that particular self-contained fish rearing facility or preexisting fish rearing facility poses a risk of being detrimental to the waters of the state.
(b)
The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has requested that the department of natural resources remove the fish to address a problem affecting fish health.
History:  1975 c. 360; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 678 to 680; Stats. 1997 s. 29.424.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.509 - Bait dealer license.

29.509
Bait dealer license.
(1)
In this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a)
“Bait" means any species of frog, crayfish or minnow used for fishing purposes.
(b)
“Bait dealer, Class A" means any person who buys for resale, barters, gives or sells bait to the amount of $2,000 or more each year.
(c)
“Bait dealer, Class B" means any person who buys or gives for resale, barters, or sells bait to the amount of less than $2,000 each year.
(2)
A bait dealer license may be issued by the department to any resident.
(3)
No person may engage in the business of bait dealer unless the person is issued a bait dealer license by the department, except that a child under 16 years of age who is a resident may barter or sell bait to consumers without a license or permit and shall be allowed to have a possession limit of 5,000 of each species of bait, but the child may not make bait sales totaling more than $500 annually.
(4)
Each licensee shall keep records as required by the department of all transactions in the production, buying and selling of bait carried on by the licensee, except that retail sales to consumers need not be recorded. This record shall show the name and address of the person from whom bait was purchased and to whom it was sold, together with the date of each transaction and the value of the bait. This record shall be open to the inspection of the department at all reasonable hours. The record shall be kept intact for a period of 2 years after the expiration of any license issued under this section, as to all transactions carried on while the license was effective.
(5)
The department may issue permits for the taking of bait from specified waters and restrict the number of permits that may be issued for any designated body of water. The permits shall be issued in the order of application up to the limit established by the department.
(6)
This section does not apply to bait produced in a state or municipal fish hatchery or to bait that is farm-raised fish.
(7)
Any person who molests, damages, destroys or takes the bait traps of another, regardless of intent, shall forfeit not more than $100.
History:  1975 c. 365; 1981 c. 226; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (3); 1989 a. 359; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 301 to 307; Stats. 1997 s. 29.509.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.512 - Guide licenses.

29.512
Guide licenses.
(1)
No person may engage or be employed for any compensation or reward to guide, direct or assist any other person in hunting, fishing or trapping unless the person is issued a guide license by the department subject to ss. 29.024 and 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d. No guide license for hunting or trapping may be issued to or obtained by any person who is not a resident of this state. No guide license may be issued to any person under the age of 18 years. The holder of a guide license shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter.
(2)
Any person violating this section shall forfeit not more than $100 and upon such conviction the person's guide license shall be revoked for one year.
History:  1975 c. 365; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 248 s. 379; Stats. 1997 s. 29.512; 2005 a. 387.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.514 - Outlying water sport trolling licenses.

29.514
Outlying water sport trolling licenses.
(1)
No person may be engaged or be employed for any compensation to guide any other person in sport trolling for trout or salmon in and upon the outlying waters unless the person is issued a sport trolling license by the department subject to s. 29.024. No sport trolling license may be issued to any person under the age of 18 years. The application shall include the name and address of the applicant, the name of the home port from which the applicant will operate, the applicant's valid U.S. coast guard operator's license number and other information as required by the department for statistical purposes. The licensee and all persons on board the licensee's boat shall comply with all of the requirements of this chapter. Boats used by the licensee shall meet minimum U.S. coast guard and this state's boat licensing and safety requirements.
(2)
Each licensee shall keep records of the number of each variety of fish taken under his or her sport trolling license and other information that the department requires, and shall report to the department on forms provided by the department on or before the 10th day of each month on the records for the preceding calendar month. The licensee is responsible for the number of fish taken and shall be held to account for the number.
History:  1973 c. 173; 1975 c. 365; 1977 c. 418; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1997 a. 248 s. 380; Stats. 1997 s. 29.514.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.523 - Net licenses, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.

29.523
Net licenses, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.
(1)
Licenses which authorize the use of nets in the Mississippi River and in that part of the St. Croix River downstream from the dam at St. Croix Falls shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to a resident who applies for a license. This subsection, as applicable to the St. Croix River, is not effective unless Minnesota has in effect similar legislation.
(2)
Each net license authorizes the use of one or more of the following nets only:
(a)
Seine nets.
(b)
Gill nets.
(c)
Bait nets used without leads.
(d)
Buffalo nets.
(e)
Frame nets.
(4)
(a)
Except when lifting or setting a gill net, no person may use a seine, gill, bait, buffalo or frame net in the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers unless the net has the required number of tags stamped to designate the kind of net and number of the net license covering it securely fastened to it.
(b)
The required number of tags is as follows:
1.
For a seine net, one tag for each 500 lineal feet, or fraction thereof.
2.
For a gill net, one tag for each 2,000 lineal feet, or fraction thereof.
3.
For a bait, buffalo or frame net, one tag for each net.
(c)
The department shall issue net tags to the licensee at the time of issuing the net license.
(5)
Each licensee shall keep a strict record and account as to each variety of fish and the number of pounds of each variety that are taken by the licensee in gear licensed to the licensee and such other information as the department requires; and shall report thereon to the department on or before the 10th day of each month during the license period.
(6)
No person who holds a net license may operate a fish farm that contains a variety of fish that the holder of the license is authorized to catch under this section.
History:  1975 c. 360; 1983 a. 27, 192; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 478 to 481; Stats. 1997 s. 29.523.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.526 - Slat net fishing in the Mississippi River.

29.526
Slat net fishing in the Mississippi River.
(1)
A slat net license authorizing the taking of commercial fish through the use of slat nets in that part of the Mississippi River over which this state has jurisdiction between the Minnesota-Iowa boundary line extended and the Wisconsin-Illinois boundary line extended shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to any resident who applies for this license.
(2)
A person who is issued a slat net license or a crew may operate not to exceed 50 properly tagged slat nets.
(3)
No person may use a slat net unless it is properly tagged. In order to be properly tagged a slat net is required to have attached to it a tag stamped to designate the kind of net and the number of the slat net license. Slat net tags are required to remain attached to the nets until replaced by renewal tags.
(4)
No slat net may be set within 100 feet of any muskrat or beaver house. Any slat net found in any waters during the closed season for the use of slat nets and any slat net found on the Wisconsin banks or shores without a slat net tag and showing evidence of being used in the previous 5 months shall be seized and held subject to the order of the court or judge under s. 29.931 (2).
(5)
A sufficient supply of slat net tags shall be furnished by the department to persons issuing approvals under this section.
(6)
No person who holds a slat net license may operate a fish farm that contains a species of fish that the holder of the license is authorized to catch under this section.
History:  1971 c. 266; 1983 a. 27 ss. 793 to 795; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 482 to 488; Stats. 1997 s. 29.526.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.529 - Trammel net fishing in the Mississippi River.

29.529
Trammel net fishing in the Mississippi River.
(1)
The department may issue a trammel net license to any resident who applies for this license.
(2)
This license authorizes the use of trammel nets in that part of the Mississippi River over which this state has jurisdiction.
(3)
No person may use a trammel net which exceeds 300 feet and no person may use a trammel net unless it is properly tagged. In order to be properly tagged, a trammel net is required to have attached to it a tag stamped to designate the kind of net and the number of the trammel net license. Trammel net tags are required to remain attached to the nets until replaced by renewal tags.
(4)
No trammel net may be set within 100 feet of any muskrat or beaver house. Any trammel net found in any waters during the closed season for the use of trammel nets and any trammel nets found on the Wisconsin banks or shores without a trammel net tag and showing evidence of being used in the previous 5 months shall be seized and held subject to the order of the court or judge under s. 29.931 (2).
(5)
No person who holds a trammel net license issued under this section may operate a fish farm that contains a species of fish that the holder of the license is authorized to catch under this section.
History:  1983 a. 27 s. 795; 1983 a. 192; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 489, 490; Stats. 1997 s. 29.529.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.531 - Set or bank pole licenses.

29.531
Set or bank pole licenses.
(1)
A set or bank pole license authorizing the use of not to exceed 5 set or bank poles for taking, catching or killing fish in the inland waters of the state where the use of setlines is permitted shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to any resident who applies for the license.
(2)
No set or bank pole may be used unless there is securely attached to the pole a tag stamped with the number of the license. Tags shall be furnished by the department to the licensee at the time of issuing the license.
(3)
For the purposes of this section a set or bank pole is defined as a pole equipped with one line and not to exceed 2 hooks of a size not smaller than 3-0 which pole is used for fishing from the banks of lakes or rivers and may be operated in the same manner as a setline.
(4)
No person who holds a set or bank pole license may operate a fish farm that contains a species of fish that the holder of the license is authorized to catch under this section.
History:  1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 192 s. 303 (6); 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 491 to 494; Stats. 1997 s. 29.531.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.533 - Setline licenses; inland waters.

29.533
Setline licenses; inland waters.
(1)
A setline license authorizing the use of setlines and hooks in inland waters in the manner determined by the department for taking, catching or killing fish shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to any resident applying for this license.
(3)
(a)
No person may operate any setline unless he or she has a setline license. No person may use a setline unless it is properly tagged. In order to be properly tagged a setline is required to be securely attached to a buoy or stake at one end, the buoy or stake is required to have attached to it a tag stamped to designate the serial number of the setline license covering it and the buoy or stake is required to be placed and the tag attached in a manner so the tag is visible above the surface of the water.
(b)
The department shall issue setline tags to the licensee at the time of issuing the setline license.
(4)
All fishers licensed under this section shall file such reports on the amounts and kinds of fish taken as may be requested by the department.
(5)
No person who holds a setline license issued under this section may operate a fish farm that contains a kind of fish that the holder of the license is authorized to catch under this section.
History:  1977 c. 29; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 192 s. 303 (6); 1985 a. 332; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 495 to 500; Stats. 1997 s. 29.533.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.535 - Shovelnose sturgeon permit.

29.535
Shovelnose sturgeon permit.
(1)
The department shall issue, subject to s. 29.024, an annual shovelnose sturgeon permit to any resident who applies for the permit and who holds at least one of the following licenses:
(a)
A net license issued under s. 29.523.
(b)
A trammel net license issued under s. 29.529.
(c)
A set or bank pole license issued under s. 29.531.
(d)
A setline license issued under s. 29.533.
(2)
No person may take shovelnose sturgeon or shovelnose sturgeon eggs unless the person holds a permit from the department under this section.
(3)
A person who is required to hold an annual shovelnose sturgeon permit shall report to the department, on forms available from the department, on or before the 10th day of each month, the number of pounds of shovelnose sturgeon eggs harvested during the preceding calendar month.
(4)
The department shall deposit receipts from the sale of permits under this section in the conservation fund.
History:  2007 a. 20.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.541 - Serving of game to guests.

29.541
Serving of game to guests.
(1)
Prohibition.
(a)
Except as authorized under s. 29.934 (2) or 97.305, no innkeeper, manager or steward of any restaurant, club, hotel, boarding house, tavern, logging camp or mining camp may sell, barter, serve or give, or cause to be sold, bartered, served or given, to its guests or boarders any of the following:
1.
The meat of any deer, elk, bear, squirrel, game bird, or game fish taken from inland waters at any time.
2.
The meat of any wild animal not listed in subd. 1., during the closed season for the wild animal, whether the meat is of a wild animal lawfully or unlawfully taken within or without the state.
(b)
The department may issue permits authorizing the serving of lawfully taken and possessed wild animals at any time.
(2)
Free lunch. The giving, offering, or affording opportunity to take free lunch in any of the places named in sub. (1) is embraced within the prohibitions of sub. (1).
(3)
Exemption. This section does not apply to the meat from farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, or farm-raised game birds or to meat that is subject to regulation under s. 169.14.
History:  1975 c. 360; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 546 to 553; Stats. 1997 s. 29.541; 2001 a. 56, 109; 2005 a. 394; 2007 a. 20; 2015 a. 55.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.553 - Processing fee.

29.553
Processing fee.
(1)
Except as provided in sub. (3), if the department issues any of the following approvals, a nonrefundable processing fee, in addition to any other fee imposed under s. 29.563, shall be collected for each approval:
(a)
Hunter's choice deer hunting permit.
(am)
Bonus deer hunting permit.
(b)
Bobcat hunting and trapping permit.
(c)
Otter trapping permit.
(d)
Fisher trapping permit.
(e)
Canada goose hunting permit.
(f)
Wild turkey hunting license.
(g)
Sharp-tailed grouse hunting permit.
(h)
Class A bear license.
(hm)
Elk hunting license.
(hr)
Wolf harvesting license.
(i)
Sturgeon fishing permit.
(2)
If a person applies jointly for a hunter's choice deer hunting permit and a bonus deer hunting permit, the person shall pay a single processing fee. A person who applies for a bonus deer hunting permit is exempt from paying an additional processing fee if the person has already applied for a hunter's choice deer hunting permit for the same season. If the department authorizes the issuing of more than one bonus deer hunting permit to a person in a single season under s. 29.181 (2) or (2m), the person is exempt from paying an additional processing fee for an application for the 2nd or subsequent bonus deer hunting permit.
(3)
The department may waive the processing fee for the approvals specified in sub. (1) (a), (am) and (c) to (g) for persons who apply for or are holders of resident conservation patron licenses and nonresident conservation patron licenses.
History:  1997 a. 248 ss. 143 to 149; 2001 a. 109; 2011 a. 169.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.555 - Reprint fee.

29.555
Reprint fee.
The department may and an agent appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2. or 3. who issues a reprint of an approval shall collect a fee for the reprint.
History:  2015 a. 89.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.556 - Handling fee.

29.556
Handling fee.
(1b)
In this section:
(a)
“In-person credit transaction costs" means the costs associated with issuing approvals that are applied for and issued in person and that are paid for by using a credit card.
(b)
“Long-distance handling costs" means the costs associated with paying for approvals that are requested by mail, telephone or electronic means and includes credit transaction fees, mailing costs and personnel costs that are necessary to process a credit transaction.
(1m)
In addition to any other fee imposed under s. 29.563, the department may collect a handling fee to cover long-distance handling costs and in-person credit transaction costs incurred in issuing approvals.
(2)
(a)
If the department collects a handling fee under sub. (1m), it shall promulgate rules to do all of the following:
1.
Designate the approvals to which the fee applies.
2.
Establish the amount of the fee.
(b)
1.
The department may collect long-distance handling costs and in-person credit transaction costs for the approvals that the department itself issues.
2.
The department may allow a person with whom it has contracted under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 4. to collect handling fees that cover long-distance handling costs. The department may allow the person to retain all or a portion of each handling fee.
3.
The department may allow an agent who is appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2. or 3. to collect handling fees that cover in-person credit transaction costs. The department may allow the agent to retain all or a portion of each handling fee.
(c)
A handling fee may not be more than the amounts necessary to cover the long-distance handling costs or the in-person credit transaction costs of issuing the approvals.
(3)
Any fees collected under this section by the department shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (9) (hu).
History:  1997 a. 248 ss. 150, 151; 1999 a. 9.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.559 - Issuing fee.

29.559
Issuing fee.
(1)
Collection of issuing fee.
(a)
Any person, including the department, who issues any license or stamp under this chapter or a conservation card under s. 23.47 (2) shall collect, in addition to the statutory license, stamp, or conservation card fee, an issuing fee for each license, each stamp, and each conservation card the person issued. Except as provided in pars. (b), and (bm), a person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2., 3., or 4. may retain 50 cents of each issuing fee for each license and for each reprint and 15 cents of each issuing fee for each stamp to compensate for services in issuing the license or stamp.
(b)
A person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 3. may retain the entire issuing fee for each temporary disabled person fishing license the person issues in order to compensate for services in issuing the license.
(bm)
A person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2., 3., or 4. may retain 15 cents of each issuing fee for each conservation card.
(c)
Any person, including the department, who issues a wild turkey hunting authorization under s. 29.164 (4) (b) or a sturgeon hook and line tag under s. 29.2285 (3) (b) shall collect, in addition to the statutory fee, an issuing fee for each authorization or tag that the person is issued. A person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2., 3., or 4. may retain 15 cents for each issuing fee of each authorization or tag to compensate for services in issuing the authorization or tag.
(1m)
Collection of issuing fee for certain approval applications. A person authorized to distribute an application under s. 29.553 shall collect, in addition to the processing fee, an issuing fee for each application.
(1r)
Collection of issuing fee for bonus deer hunting permits. Any person, including the department, who issues a bonus deer hunting permit shall collect, in addition to the statutory permit fee, an issuing fee for each permit. A person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2., 3. or 4. may retain 50 cents of each issuing fee for each permit to compensate for services in issuing the permit.
(2)
Department employees. An issuing fee collected by any employee of the department shall be remitted to the department together with the statutory approval fee.
History:  1997 a. 248 ss. 152 to 156; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 17, 108; 2005 a. 25; 2009 a. 276; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 59.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.564 - Voluntary contributions; invasive species grants.

29.564
Voluntary contributions; invasive species grants.
(1)
Any applicant for a fishing license under s. 29.563 (3) (a) to (c) may, in addition to paying any fee charged for the license, elect to make a voluntary contribution of at least $2 to be used for research by the department concerning invasive species that are aquatic species and for grants under s. 23.22 (2) (c) to control invasive species that are aquatic species.
(1m)
If a person appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 2., 3., or 4., collects a voluntary contribution under sub. (1) from an applicant for a fishing license, the person collecting the voluntary contribution may retain 50 cents of the voluntary contribution to compensate for the person's services in collecting the voluntary contribution.
(2)
All moneys collected under sub. (1), less the amount retained as authorized under sub. (1m), shall be deposited into the account under s. 20.370 (4) (ks).
History:  1997 a. 248 ss. 163 to 165; 2009 a. 28; 2017 a. 59; 2021 a. 239.
2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 29 - Wild animals and plants. › 29.565 - Voluntary contributions; venison and wild turkey processing and donation program.

29.565
Voluntary contributions; venison and wild turkey processing and donation program.
(1)
Any applicant for a hunting license listed under s. 29.563 (2) (a) or (b) may, in addition to paying any fee charged for the license, elect to make a voluntary contribution of at least $1 to be used for the venison and wild turkey processing and donation program under s. 29.89.
(2)
All moneys collected under sub. (1) shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (5) (ft).
History:  2001 a. 16; 2015 a. 31.