reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods › Section NR 20.105 - Sturgeon spearing licenses

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) UPRIVER LAKES
				  LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES. Persons applying to spear sturgeon on the
				  upriver lakes shall apply for an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license as
				  follows:
(a)
Application
				  deadlines
. All upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license applications
				  shall be received by the date established by the department to be considered
				  for selection. The annual application deadline date may be no earlier than July
				  1.
Note:
The department conducts extensive
					 publicity on the application deadlines beginning several months prior to any
					 deadline. Application deadline dates are published in news releases, license
					 outlet handouts, and pertinent regulation pamphlets. Applications may be
					 obtained from any department license vendor. Applications and information may
					 be obtained from the Bureau of Customer Service and Licensing address is 101
					 South Webster, Box 7924, Madison, WI 53707.
(b)
Group applications
. If a
				  maximum of 4 persons wish to spear sturgeon on the upriver lakes together, each
				  shall first apply for an individual upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license and
				  then complete a group application form. The group application shall be treated
				  as one application for purposes of random selection under the cumulative
				  preference system and consideration for a license. The group's preference
				  standing shall be that of the member with the lowest number of preference
				  points. If the group is selected to receive upriver lakes sturgeon spearing
				  licenses, all members of the group will lose all accumulated preference
				  points.
(c)
Prohibition of
				  purchase of Lake Winnebago spearing license.
No person who applies for
				  an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license may purchase a Lake Winnebago
				  sturgeon spearing license in the same year, except unsuccessful applicants for
				  an upriver lakes license may purchase a Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing
				  license after October 1.
(d)
Applications for upriver lakes.
No person may apply for an
				  upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license unless they will become 12 years of age
				  before or on the last day of the upcoming sturgeon spearing season.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods › Section NR 20.11 - Ice fishing and fishing shelter restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) No person may
				  construct, place, use, maintain or occupy a fishing shelter on the ice of any
				  waters of this state unless:
(a) The name and
				  residential address or department of natural resources customer identification
				  number in the English language of the person owning or using the fishing
				  shelter is legibly painted or otherwise affixed on the outside of the fishing
				  shelter with block lettering a minimum of one inch square and in contrasting
				  colors. Fishing shelters that are occupied or otherwise in use are exempt from
				  this requirement.
(b) The door can
				  be readily opened from the outside while the shelter is occupied.
(c) The person is actively using the fishing
				  shelter and it is removed from the ice daily and when not in use on the Fox
				  river downstream from the DePere dam, Brown county.
(d) The fishing shelter is removed from the
				  ice daily and when not in use after the first Sunday following March 1, on
				  inland waters south of highway 64.
(e) The fishing shelter is removed from the
				  ice daily and when not in use after the first Sunday following March 12, on
				  inland waters north of highway 64 and all other outlying waters.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods › Section NR 20.12 - Setline and set or bank pole restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) GENERAL
				  RESTRICTIONS. No person may use, set, lift, attend or possess any set or bank
				  pole or setline on any water except the lower Wisconsin river, unless:
(a) Its use is specifically authorized by a
				  set or bank pole license issued under s.
				  29.531(1),
				  Stats., or a setline license issued under s.
				  29.533(1),
				  Stats. No person may use, set, lift, attend or possess set or bank pole or
				  setline licensed to another person.
(b) Its use in that water is specifically
				  authorized in s.
				  NR
				  20.20.
(c)
				  A white flag at least 10 inches square bearing the number of the license
				  authorizing its use in black figures at least 3 inches high and attached to the
				  top of a flag staff that extends at least 3 feet above the surface of the water
				  or bank is placed and maintained at one end of the setline or within 2 feet of
				  the set or bank pole with a cord attached from the flag staff to the set or
				  bank pole. The flag staff may not exceed 2 1/2 inches in diameter and shall be
				  marked with 2 inch to 6 inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands.
				  When a buoy is used to hold the setline's flag staff, the buoy shall be
				  cylindrical in shape, 15 inches or less in diameter and marked with 2 inch to 6
				  inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands. No person may place a
				  setline flag, flag staff or pole in the main channel of any navigable
				  waterway.
(d) A metal tag stamped
				  with the number of the license authorizing its use is securely attached
				  directly to the flag staff or pole of each setline or set or bank
				  pole.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods › Section NR 20.13 - General netting restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
No person may do any of the following:
(1) Possess, control or operate in any manner
				  any net, seine or similar device that might be used for the purposes of fishing
				  at any time while on any water or on the banks or shores of any water except as
				  specifically authorized in this section, s.
				  NR
				  20.14 or
				  20.20.
(2) Set, use or operate a dip net or seine
				  from sunset to sunrise unless specifically authorized in s.
				  NR
				  20.20.
(3)
				  Set, use or operate more than one dip net.
(4) Set, use or operate a dip net in any
				  manner other than by raising and lowering it vertically while
				  fishing.
(5) Fish in any other
				  manner while operating a dip net or seine.
(6) Fish with hook and line from any boat
				  while in possession of a dip net.
(7) Leave a dip net or seine unattended
				  within 25 feet of the edge of the water.
(8) Sell, barter or trade in any manner any
				  sucker taken with a dip net or seine.
(9) Set, use or operate a landing net other
				  than for landing a fish that is legally hooked or to net fish as authorized
				  with the use of dip nets under this chapter or chs.
				  NR
				  21 to
				  23.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods › Section NR 20.14 - Minnow collecting restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
No bait dealer may take minnows for use as bait from any
					 inland or outlying water without a wild harvest permit from the department
					 under s.
					 NR
					 19.057. In addition, no person may do any of the
					 following:
(1) Set, use or operate any
				  net, trap or similar device for the taking of minnows other than minnow seines,
				  minnow dip nets and minnow traps as authorized in s.
				  NR
				  20.20 unless issued a non-standard gear permit by the
				  department under s.
				  NR
				  20.39 pursuant to s.
				  29.516(1),
				  Stats.
(2) Set, use or operate any
				  minnow seine, minnow dip net, minnow trap or similar device for the taking of
				  minnows in any water unless specifically authorized in s.
				  NR
				  20.20 or 20.39. Minnow seines or minnow dip nets of
				  any type or description may not be set, used or operated in any trout stream
				  unless a non-standard gear permit is issued by the department under s.
				  NR
				  20.39.
(3)
				  Set, use or operate minnow traps in any water that is posted as having been
				  chemically treated to reestablish a trout fishery.
(4) Set, use or operate minnow traps unless a
				  label or tag bearing the legible name and address or department of natural
				  resources customer identification number of the operator in the English
				  language is securely attached.
(5)
				  Set, use or operate minnow traps unless they are raised and the minnows are
				  removed from them at least once every 48 hours from all waters except trout
				  streams.
(6) Set, use or operate
				  minnow traps in trout streams during the closed season for trout unless issued
				  a non-standard gear permit by the department under s.
				  NR
				  20.39. The permit authorizing placement of minnow
				  traps in trout streams during the closed season for trout shall specify
				  conditions on raising the traps and removing minnows.
(7) Set, use or operate more than 3 minnow
				  traps in trout streams during the open season for trout except licensed bait
				  dealers.
(a) No more than a total of 20
				  minnow traps may be set, used or operated by licensed bait dealers during the
				  open season for trout when removing minnows from one or more trout streams
				  unless issued a non-standard gear permit by the department under s.
				  NR
				  20.39.
(b)
				  Minnow traps set, used or operated on trout streams during the open season for
				  trout shall be raised and the minnows removed from them at least once every 24
				  hours.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter III - Authorized Methods, Open Seasons, Daily Bag Limits and Size Restrictions on Specified Waters › Section NR 20.15 - Authorized methods

Current through June 24, 2024
A person may do any of the following:
(1) Take rough fish, bullheads and catfish by
				  hand as specified in s.
				  NR
				  20.20, except in waters established as fish refuges
				  under ch. NR 26.
(1m) Except as
				  prohibited under ss.
				  NR 21.065,
				  22.065, and 23.10, or where posted closed to spearing by department sign, take
				  rough fish by means of spearing with a hand held spear within 200 feet of a
				  fishway, lock or dam from June 1 through August 31 where there is an open
				  season for spearing of rough fish.
(2) Use any fish for bait provided the fish
				  was lawfully obtained and legal to possess pursuant to all the restrictions set
				  forth in this chapter.
(3) Spear
				  white bass, yellow bass, rock bass, panfish and bullheads while skin diving or
				  scuba diving during the open season for rough fish spearing as specified in s.
				  NR
				  20.20.
(4)
				  Fish by the method of trolling with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures on all
				  inland waters in the following counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield,
				  Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane,
				  Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green,
				  Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse,
				  Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee,
				  Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage,
				  Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor,
				  Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waushara, Waukesha,
				  Winnebago, and Wood.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter III - Authorized Methods, Open Seasons, Daily Bag Limits and Size Restrictions on Specified Waters › Section NR 20.18 - Total daily bag limits

Current through June 24, 2024
Daily bag limits identified in s.
					 NR
					 20.20 are individual water limits that apply to the
					 waters or portions of waters specified and may be combined with daily bag
					 limits for other waters or portions of waters, but no person may exceed the
					 total daily bag limit in this section unless authorized by s.
					 NR
					 20.35 or for a specific water listed in s.
					 NR
					 20.20, 21.04, 22.04 or 23.05(5).
Species
Total Daily Bag Limit
(1) Catfish .................
25 in total
(2) Cisco (lake herring), whitefish and their
								  hybrids
(a) Inland waters ............
(b) Outlying waters ..........
10 in total 10 in total
(3) Lake sturgeon ...........
1 per season as specified in ss.
								  NR
								  20.07 and 20.20(73) (e)
(4) Largemouth and smallmouth bass
								  ...................
5 in total
(5) Muskellunge ............
1
(6) Northern pike
(a) All waters north of U.S. hwy. 10
								  ..................
(b) All waters south of U.S. hwy. 10
								  ..................
5 in total 2 in total
(7) Panfish .................
25 in total
(8) Rock bass, white bass, yellow bass and
								  bullheads ......
........
None
(9) Rough fish ..............
None
(10) Ruffe, white perch and gobies
								  .....................
........
0 except as authorized in s.
								  NR
								  20.20, but one of each may be killed and possessed for
								  immediate delivery to a department service center or regional office
(11) Shovelnose sturgeon .....
3
(12) Trout and salmon
(a) Inland waters ............
5 in total, but only 2 may be lake trout
(b) Outlying waters ..........
5 in total but only 2 may be lake trout
(13) Walleye, sauger and hybrids
								  ......................
5 in total
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter III - Authorized Methods, Open Seasons, Daily Bag Limits and Size Restrictions on Specified Waters › Section NR 20.19 - Possession limits

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) POSSESSION LIMIT TABLE. Except as
				  otherwise provided in this chapter, the following possession limits are
				  established.
Species
Possession Limit
Catfish
50 in total
Cisco (lake herring), whitefish, and their
								  hybrids
20 in total
Lake sturgeon
2 in total
Largemouth and smallmouth bass
10 in total
Minnows
As specified in s.  NR 20.14
Muskellunge
2 in total
Northern pike
10 in total
Panfish
50 in total
Rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, white perch,
								  bullheads, and rough fish
No limit
Ruffe and gobies
1 of each which has been killed and possessed
								  only for immediate delivery to a department service center or regional
								  office
Shovelnose sturgeon
6 in total
Trout and salmon
10 in total from inland waters except that only 4
								  may be lake trout, and 10 in total from outlying waters except that only 4 may
								  be lake trout
Walleye, sauger, and their
								  hybrids
10 in total
(2)
				  POSSESSION LIMIT EXCEPTIONS. The following fish do not contribute to a person's
				  possession limit:
(a) Catfish caught on
				  setlines, set or bank poles on the Fox river upstream from the DePere dam in
				  Brown county.
(b) Panfish caught on
				  Twin Valley lake in Iowa county.
(c) Any species of fish caught on Nebish,
				  Pallette, Mystery, Spruce, or Escanaba lakes in Vilas county unless specified
				  in s.  NR 20.20 (64).
(d) Any
				  species of fish lawfully received by and stored at a fish distribution service,
				  as defined in s. 29.001 (28), Stats., for redistribution.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.25 - License waiver

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) On the first Saturday and consecutive
				  Sunday of June and the third Saturday and consecutive Sunday of January each
				  year, no fishing license is required to fish the inland or outlying waters,
				  pursuant to s.
				  29.197(3),
				  Stats.
(2) The license waiver of
				  sub. (1) does not apply to commercial fishing license requirements.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.30 - Department permitted to take fish

Current through June 24, 2024
No provision in this chapter prohibits the department, its
					 agents, wardens or representatives of the bureau of fisheries management and
					 habitat protection from taking any of the fish mentioned at any time they deem
					 it advisable and necessary to promote the general conservation
					 progress.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.33 - Special open and closed seasons

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) SEASON CLOSURE
				  UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS.
(a)
Water
				  level reduction.
Pursuant to par. (e), the department may close the
				  season for fishing in all or part of any inland water which has experienced
				  sudden water level reduction or where a sudden reduction is imminent as a
				  result of dam failure, draw down or other loss of water supply. The closed
				  season shall remain in full force and effect until the department determines
				  that the water has been returned to its original level and the season is open
				  pursuant to par. (e) 2. The department may close the season when it finds after
				  scientific investigation and study, that all of the following have occurred:
1. Game fish have been or will be unusually
				  concentrated due to the drop in water level and may, therefore, be more
				  vulnerable to angler harvest.
2.
				  The remaining game fish population structure cannot easily be replaced if
				  subjected to continued angler harvest.
3. Water levels are expected to eventually
				  return to normal.
4. Continued
				  sport fishing may result in a depletion of the game fish supply.
5. Closure of the season is necessary to
				  conserve the game fish supply until water levels are restored and to insure the
				  citizens of this state continued opportunities for good fishing.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.36 - Modifications in daily bag limit and minimum size limit in response to tribal harvest

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) ADJUSTMENT. In order to prevent a total
				  harvest of more than 35% of the adult walleye population or 27% of the adult
				  muskellunge population, the secretary may lower the daily bag limit on walleye
				  or adjust size limits for walleye or muskellunge in specific waters in response
				  to the harvest goals or actual harvest of the Chippewa Bands for their spear,
				  net or trap fisheries. The adjusted daily bag and size limits shall be in
				  effect until the first Sunday in March of the year following the tribal
				  harvest. The safe harvest levels on individual waters shall be determined by
				  the department.
(a)
Walleyes.
The daily bag limit may be reduced in response to
				  harvest by the Chippewa Bands' spear, net, or trap fisheries. The extent of the
				  reduction depends upon the percent of the safe harvest taken and the age of the
				  population estimate used to determine the safe harvest or if a regression model
				  was used to determine the safe harvest. The daily bag limits to be used with
				  the different percentages and for various basis of determining the safe harvest
				  are as follows:
Reduced Daily Bag Limits for
							 Walleye Angling Percent of Safe Harvest Speared, Trapped or Netted
Daily bag limit
Current population
							 estimate
Population estimate made 1-2 years ago
Population
							 estimate made 3 years ago or more or regression model
0
69% or more
95% or more
95% or more
(b)
Muskellunge.
The minimum size limit will be increased when the
				  department is notified by the Chippewa bands that their harvest goal on an
				  individual water is 60% or more of the safe harvest. The minimum size limits to
				  be used with different percentages of the safe harvest are as follows:
Increased Minimum Size Limits for
							 Muskellunge Angling
Percent of safe harvest to be speared, trapped or
							 netted by tribes
Minimum size limit
60-94
45 inches
95 or more
55 inches
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.38 - Control of detrimental fish

Current through June 24, 2024
The department finds, pursuant to s. 29.424 (1), Stats.,
					 that the following fish species are detrimental in the waters specified. The
					 department may remove them from the waters specified or cause them to be
					 removed, pursuant to ss. 29.421 and 29.417, Stats.:
(1) BULLHEADS. The department finds that
				  bullheads are detrimental in the following waters:
(a) All waters in Barron, Burnett, Chippewa,
				  Marathon, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and
				  Washburn counties.
(b)
Adams and Juneau counties.
Castle Rock flowage and the
				  Wisconsin river beginning at the Petenwell dam and extending downstream to the
				  Castle Rock dam except for that part of the Yellow river in Castle Rock flowage
				  locally called the Buckhorn area, upstream from the electric power transmission
				  line across the flowage in sections 26 and 35, T17N, R4E, Juneau
				  county.
(c)
Dodge
				  county.
Beaver Dam lake and the Rock river from hwy. 49 downstream to
				  the dam in Hustisford.
(d)
Florence county.
Bass, Fay, Frog, Halsey, Long (Forest
				  county), Patten, Scout and West Bass lakes; Line and Pine river
				  flowages.
(e)
Forest
				  county.
Arbutus lake, Crane lake, Jungle lake, Lake Metonga, Lily
				  lake, Little Rice lake, Pickerel lake, and Roberts lake.
(f)
Lafayette county.
Yellowstone lake.
(i)
Sheboygan county.
Sheboygan marsh.
(k)
Wood county.
Petenwell
				  flowage and the Wisconsin river beginning at the Nekoosa dam in Wood county
				  extending downstream to the Petenwell dam in Adams and Juneau
				  counties.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.39 - Permits for use of nonstandard minnow gear on inland waters

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) The department
				  may issue a permit under this section to a licensed bait dealer for the taking
				  of minnows with minnow seines, minnow dip nets or minnow traps which are
				  otherwise prohibited by s.
				  NR
				  20.14. Applications shall be submitted on forms
				  available from the department to the regional office having jurisdiction over
				  the affected waters, and all of the following provisions shall apply to
				  nonstandard gear permits:
Note: The permit application form is available
					 at
https://dnr.wi.gov
,
					 search "bait harvest.
(a) The
				  department may issue the permit if it determines that all of the conditions of
				  this paragraph are met, and may specify conditions in the permit to minimize
				  user conflict in the waterbodies of harvest, manage cumulative harvest of
				  minnows from specific waterbodies, minimize bycatch, and protect fish habitat:
1. For waters with adequate public access
				  according to s.
				  NR 1.90 (2)
				  (a), the department shall determine if:
a. The department does not need the minnows
				  for its fish management activities.
b. Removal of the minnows will not cause or
				  substantially contribute to a long-term depletion of the forage base.
c. Threatened or endangered species listed in
				  ch. NR 27 are not known to be present in or near the affected water.
d. Unique or sensitive biological values such
				  as nesting loons or heron rookeries are not present in, on or near the affected
				  water.
e. The use of the minnow
				  seines, minnow dip nets or minnow traps is not likely to hinder or interfere
				  with the exercise of a permit issued earlier in the year to another person for
				  the water.
f. The use of the minnow
				  seines, minnow dip nets or minnow traps is not likely to hinder or interfere
				  with any other public uses of the water.
g. The use of the minnow seines, minnow dip
				  nets or minnow traps is not likely to result in the spread of invasive species
				  or diseases.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.41 - Experimental waters

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) DESIGNATED. The following waters are
				  designated as experimental waters: Nebish, Spruce, Mystery, Escanaba and
				  Pallette lakes situated in sections 34 and 35, township 42 north, range 7 east,
				  and sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12, township 41 north, range 7 east, Vilas
				  county.
(2) PERMIT REQUIRED.
(a) No person may fish in experimental waters
				  unless a permit has been issued to the person by the department.
Note:
Permits may be obtained at the checking
					 station indicated by posted signs in the immediate area of these experimental
					 waters.
(b) Permits issued
				  under this section are valid only for the date issued.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters › Subchapter IV - Department Authority › Section NR 20.65 - Report of licensed guides

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) DEFINITIONS. In
				  this section:
(a) "Assist" or "assisting"
				  means providing support or aid to a person with the activities associated with
				  the act of fishing, including transporting anglers between the shore and an
				  open water or on-ice fishing location.
(b) "Direct" or "directing" means to manage,
				  supervise, or oversee an angler's or anglers' fishing activities and fishing
				  trip conditions to aid the angler or anglers in attempting to catch
				  fish.
(c) "Electronic guide
				  reporting system" means a system established or authorized by the department
				  for reporting guided fishing trips and other required information to the
				  department by electronic means.
(d)
1. "Fishing guide" means any person required
				  to be licensed under the provisions of s.
				  29.512(1),
				  Stats., that is actively engaged in guiding, directing, or assisting a person
				  or persons for compensation or reward in fishing, as defined in s.
				  NR
				  20.03(12), in waters defined in pars.
				  (f), (h), and (i).
2. "Fishing
				  guide" does not include a person that rents boats, fishing shelters, fishing
				  gear, or related equipment to an angler for the angler's independent use,
				  provided that the person does not offer any additional services to guide,
				  direct or assist the angler in attempting to catch fish.
(e) "Fishing trip" means the time period
				  during which an individual fishes or a group of anglers fishes together,
				  commencing upon leaving the dock or shore and ending upon return to the dock or
				  shore after the conclusion of fishing.
(f) "Green Bay" means those waters specified
				  in s.
				  NR
				  20.03(15), (16), and (21).
(g) "Guide," when used as a verb, or
				  "guiding" means to advise, influence or superintend the conduct or instruction
				  of an angler or anglers, including providing expertise to an angler or anglers
				  on how to conduct fishing activities to improve the angler or anglers' ability
				  to catch fish.
(h) "Lake Michigan"
				  means those waters specified in s.
				  NR
				  20.03(17) and (18).
(i) "Lake Superior" means Wisconsin waters of
				  Lake Superior and Chequamegon Bay, as well as all tributaries up to the first
				  lake or barrier impassable to fish.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Section NR 21.01 - Purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) This chapter, along with other applicable
				rules and statutes, regulates fishing in the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary
				waters.
(2) The rules contained in
				this chapter are not intended to, nor do they authorize, the sale or
				introduction into interstate commerce for purposes of human consumption or use
				fish taken from the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters which fail to meet or
				comply with food and drug administration (FDA) standards.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Section NR 21.015 - License waiver

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) On the first Saturday and consecutive
				Sunday of June and the third Saturday and consecutive Sunday of January each
				year, no fishing license is required to fish the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary
				waters.
(2) The license waiver of
				sub. (1) does not apply to commercial fishing license requirements.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 21.03 - Reciprocity, sport fishing or spearing and dip netting

Current through June 24, 2024
All residents of Wisconsin and Minnesota holding a resident
					 fishing license from their respective states or residents other than Wisconsin
					 and Minnesota holding an angling or sport fishing license issued by either
					 state, may fish in any of the waters of the Mississippi river lying between the
					 Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad tracks on the Wisconsin side of the
					 river and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad tracks on the
					 Minnesota side of the river, including all sloughs and backwaters, bays and
					 newly-extended water areas connected with the main channel of the Mississippi
					 river by a channel which is navigable at periods when the water is
					 approximately equal to normal pool elevation as created by the U.S. department
					 of the army, and in the waters of Lake St. Croix, and the St. Croix river and
					 the St. Louis river as defined in s.
					 NR
					 21.02(39). This reciprocity applies
					 only to sport fishing, spearing, dip netting, and the taking of minnows and
					 crayfish for such fishing.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 21.05 - Sale of fish

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Only rough fish legally taken during the
				  open season by hook and line, spear, bow and arrow, or crossbow, or by hand may
				  be sold, purchased, bartered, offered for sale, or under the control or
				  possession of any person for the purpose of sale or barter.
(2) Rough fish taken by other than commercial
				  gear may be bought and sold during the open season. A wholesale fish dealer's
				  license is required if such fish are sold to any person other than the final
				  consumer. (23.11, 29.503, 29.539)
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 21.06 - Sport fishing restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Except as
				  otherwise expressly provided, only the following methods or manners of fishing
				  shall be lawful. Any person: (29.041)
(a) May
				  fish for fish with no more than 3 hooks, baits or lures.
(b) May use landing nets and a gaff only for
				  the purpose of landing a fish that is legally hooked. However, landing nets may
				  be used to remove winterkilled fish in those areas and at those times
				  designated by the department by posting, and to net fish as authorized with the
				  use of dip nets under this chapter or ch. NR 20.
(c) May take, catch, kill or fish for fish by
				  means of trolling from a motor-driven boat, sailboat or other boats.
(d) Except in Lake Superior, its bays and
				  tributaries, may take rough fish by means of spear, bow and arrow, or crossbow,
				  by hand, or by dip nets and landing nets not to exceed 24 inches in diameter or
				  square only from sunrise to sunset from the Saturday nearest April 21 to March
				  1, except that the use of dip nets and landing nets not to exceed 24 inches in
				  diameter or square for the taking of rough fish in the St. Croix river
				  downstream to the St. Croix Falls dam is permitted from the Saturday nearest
				  May 15 to June 30 each year, and bow and arrow or crossbow may be possessed and
				  used for spearing rough fish from sunset to sunrise during the open season for
				  spearing rough fish.
(e) May only
				  fish with a line or lines while they are attended.
(f) May take, catch, kill or fish for
				  flathead or channel catfish or bullheads with a bow and arrow or crossbow
				  during the open season for spearing rough fish, or by hand, in boundary waters
				  within Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 21.065 - Fishing near dams

Current through June 24, 2024
Notwithstanding ss.
					 NR
					 21.11 and
					 21.15, which remain in effect, no
					 person may fish within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam by any means other
					 than hook and line.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 21.07 - Ice fishing shelters

Current through June 24, 2024
Buildings, vehicles, tents, fish shanties or similar
					 enclosures may be used on the ice for fishing purposes on the Mississippi
					 river, Lake St. Croix, the St. Croix river and St. Louis river as defined in s.
					 NR
					 21.02(39) from the time the ice
					 forms; provided, however, that all such enclosures or shelters shall be removed
					 from the ice on or before March 1 of each year. The door of any such enclosure
					 or shelter must be equipped with a latch which will permit the door to be
					 readily opened from the outside at all times while the enclosure or shelter is
					 occupied. Fishing shelters that are not occupied or otherwise in use shall have
					 the name and residential address of the person owning such shelter or enclosure
					 painted or permanently affixed in the English language on the outside of the
					 structure with lettering a minimum of one inch square. Residents of Wisconsin
					 or Minnesota angling from a fish house shall comply with the law of their
					 respective states relative to licensing and identification of fish houses.
					 Residents of states other than Wisconsin and Minnesota who hold a nonresident
					 fishing license from either state must comply with the law of the issuing state
					 relative to the licensing and identification of fish houses.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter II - Minnows › Section NR 21.08 - Minnow nets and traps

Current through June 24, 2024
Except as provided in ss.
					 NR
					 20.20 and
					 21.06(1)
					 (d), no person may take fish other than smelt
					 with nets or traps in the St. Louis river. No person may take minnows or
					 shiners from the St. Louis river. Only those minnow seines, minnow dip nets,
					 cast nets, minnow traps or crayfish scoops described as follows and operated in
					 the manner specified may be used for the taking of minnows:
Type of Gear
Period Gear May be Used
Specifications
Restriction
(a) Seine
All year
Seines shall not exceed 50 feet in length and 8
								  feet in width flat measure and shall not contain mesh which exceeds one-half
								  inch stretch measure.
(b) Dip Net
All year
Dip nets shall consist of a square or round frame
								  not to exceed 8 feet in diameter or square with netting suspended from it which
								  when lifted makes a bag not to exceed 4 feet deep.
Dip nets may only be used by the method of
								  raising or lowering them in a vertical direction.
(c) Traps
All year
Traps shall not exceed 24 inches in length and 16
								  inches in diameter with an opening in the throat of the trap no larger than one
								  and one-half inches in diameter.
Traps must have securely attached to them a label
								  or tag bearing the name and address of the owner in the English
								  language.
Traps must be raised and the minnows removed at
								  least once a day between one hour before sunrise and one hour after
								  sunset.
(d) Cast Net
All year
Cast nets shall not exceed 7 feet in diameter or
								  mesh of more than one-half inch stretch measure.
(e) Crayfish Scoop
All year
A metal frame covered with hardware cloth not to
								  exceed 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width and 18 inches in depth. A handle of
								  any length may be attached.
May be used to harvest crayfish, minnows and
								  dragon fly larva.
For the reference to s.
						NR
						20.20, see (73) (L) 5. of that
						table.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter II - Minnows › Section NR 21.09 - Carp as bait

Current through June 24, 2024
Live carp taken and possessed for the purpose of bait shall
					 only be transported live by boat or other floating conveyance while in
					 possession on Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter III - Commercial Fishing › Section NR 21.10 - Boundary water, commercial fishing restriction

Current through June 24, 2024
For the purpose of fishing under a commercial fishing
					 license or the taking of turtles, in the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters,
					 licensed commercial fishers and agents of the licensees are restricted to the
					 state boundaries of the state they are licensed under. No person may operate
					 any commercial fishing gear or turtle traps beyond the state line boundaries of
					 the state in which the license was issued.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter V - General Provisions › Section NR 21.14 - Transportation of fish and turtles

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Any properly
				  licensed resident or nonresident holder of an angling or commercial fishing
				  license from the state of Minnesota having lawfully taken fish or turtles in
				  the boundary waters described in this chapter during the open season therefor,
				  may land on the Wisconsin side of the said boundary waters and shall transport
				  such fish with him to the state of Minnesota by the most convenient,
				  practicable route. (23.11, 29.041, 29.045)
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter V - General Provisions › Section NR 21.15 - Fish refuges

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) No person may take, catch, disturb, kill
				  or fish for fish of any variety in any manner from March 15 through April 25
				  both dates inclusive, in, on or along the following described water areas:
				  (23.09)
(a)
La Crosse
				  county.
(No. 32) That part of the Mississippi river beginning at the
				  Onalaska dam, in the city of Onalaska, and extending downstream for a distance
				  of 300 feet.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter V - General Provisions › Section NR 21.16 - Taking of fish by and for the department

Current through June 24, 2024
Nothing in this chapter prohibits the department by
					 contract or otherwise from carrying out its management of these boundary waters
					 as required by the law or department policy. (23.09, 29.401, 29.421, 29.424,
					 29.417)
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 21 - Wisconsin-Minnesota Boundary Waters › Subchapter V - General Provisions › Section NR 21.17 - Conflicting rules

Current through June 24, 2024
Where there are differences in elements of the boundary
					 waters regulations of Minnesota and Wisconsin, anglers, commercial fishers and
					 persons taking turtles shall comply with the regulations of the state in whose
					 territorial waters they are fishing in or taking turtles.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 22 - Wisconsin-Iowa Boundary Waters › Section NR 22.01 - Purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) This chapter, along with other applicable
				rules and statutes, regulates fishing in the Wisconsin-Iowa boundary
				waters.
(2) The rules contained in
				this chapter are not intended, nor do they authorize introducing into
				interstate commerce for purposes of human consumption or use, fish taken from
				the Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters which fail to meet or comply with food and
				drug administration (FDA) standards.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 22 - Wisconsin-Iowa Boundary Waters › Section NR 22.015 - License waiver

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) On the first Saturday and consecutive
				Sunday in June each year, no fishing license is required to fish the
				Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters.
(2)
				The license waiver of sub. (1) does not apply to commercial fishing license
				requirements.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 22 - Wisconsin-Iowa Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 22.03 - Reciprocity: sport fishing or spearing and dip netting

Current through June 24, 2024
All residents of Wisconsin and Iowa holding a resident
					 fishing license from their respective states or residents other than Wisconsin
					 and Iowa holding an angling license or sport fishing license issued by either
					 state may fish in waters of the Mississippi river lying between the Chicago,
					 Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad tracks on the Iowa side of the river,
					 and the Burlington Northern and Sante Fe railroad tracks lying on the Wisconsin
					 side of the river, including all sloughs and backwaters, bays and newly
					 extended water areas connected with the main channel of the Mississippi river
					 by a channel which is navigable when the waters are approximately equal to the
					 normal pool elevation as created by the U.S. army corps of engineers. This
					 reciprocity applies only to hook and line fishing, spearing, dipnetting, and
					 the taking of minnows and crayfish for such fishing. Spearing and dip netting
					 are prohibited within 200 feet of any U.S. army corps of engineers locks and
					 dams. Residents of either Wisconsin or Iowa may not fish in these boundary
					 waters when the angler's state of residency license has been
					 revoked.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 22 - Wisconsin-Iowa Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 22.04 - Sport fishing: seasons and limits

Current through June 24, 2024
All regulations applicable to sport fishing are as follows
					 unless expressly provided elsewhere in this chapter.
Kind of fish and locality
Open season (both dates
								  inclusive)
Daily bag limit
Minimum length (inches)
(1) Largemouth and smallmouth bass
Continuous
5 in aggregate
14
(2) Walleye and sauger
(a) Mississippi river Pools 9 to 12
Continuous
6 in aggregate
No size limit for sauger, 15 for walleye but the
								  possession of walleye from 20 to 27 is prohibited and only 1 walleye may be
								  longer than 27
(b) All other waters
Continuous
6 in aggregate
No size limit for sauger, 15 for walleye
(3) Northern pike
Continuous
5
No size limit
(4) Panfish
(a) White and yellow bass
Continuous
25 in total
No size limit
(b) Crappies
Continuous
25
No size limit
(c) Rock bass
Continuous
25
No size limit
(d) Bluegill and sunfish
Continuous
25 in total
No size limit
(e) Yellow perch
Continuous
25
No size limit
(6) Catfish
Continuous
No bag limit
No size limit
(7) Bullhead
Continuous
No bag limit
No size limit
(8) Hackleback (sand or shovelnose)
Continuous
No bag limit
No size limit
(9) Lake sturgeon
No open season
--
--
(10) Paddlefish (spoonbill catfish)
No open season
--
--
(11) Rough fish
Continuous
No bag limit
No size limit
(12) Crayfish
Continuous
No bag limit
No size limit
(13) Other species apply
Inland regulations of adjoining counties as
								  contained in ch. NR 20 apply
(14) A person
				  may possess or control only the daily bag limit while fishing on the ice or
				  waters of the Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters.
(15) A person may possess or control the
				  possession limit when not on the waters or ice during the open season for each
				  species.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 22 - Wisconsin-Iowa Boundary Waters › Subchapter I - Sport Fishing › Section NR 22.05 - Sale of fish

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Only rough fish legally taken during the
				  open season by hook and line, spear, bow and arrow or or crossbow or by hand
				  may be sold, purchased, bartered, offered for sale, or under the control or
				  possession of any person for the purpose of sale or barter.
(2) A wholesale fish dealer's license is
				  required if the fish are sold to any person other than the final
				  consumer.