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 20.05 - General restrictions

Current through June 24, 2024
No person may do any of the following:
(1) Fish by any means other than hook and
				  line except as specifically authorized in this chapter or chs.
				  NR
				  21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.
(2) Possess or control any firearm, gun or
				  similar device at any time while on the waters, banks or shores that might be
				  used for the purpose of fishing.
(3) Fish within 200 feet of any fishway,
				  lock, or dam by any means other than by hook and line in the inland waters,
				  except as authorized under s.
				  NR 20.15(1) and
				  (1m).
(4) Fish for any species of fish at any time
				  other than during the open season for that species of fish.
(5) Fish for any variety of fish in trout
				  streams other than during the open season for trout except that rough fish may
				  be taken by hand.
(5m) Take catfish
				  by hand with the aid of or while in possession of artificial nests or spawning
				  boxes, ropes, gaffes, hooks, grapples or similar equipment for snagging
				  catfish, or breathing devices including snorkeling or scuba gear.
(6) Fish for, possess or control fish in
				  excess of the daily bag limit authorized in s.
				  NR
				  20.20 for that water while on the waters, banks or
				  shores of waters or while fishing except as authorized on specific waters by s.
				  NR
				  20.35 or 20.36 and minnows described in s.
				  NR
				  19.05(3) (e) or (f).
(7) Except for minnows purchased from a
				  Wisconsin bait dealer, possess or control fish unless they are included as part
				  of the daily bag limit. Fish that are not released immediately shall be
				  included as part of the daily bag limit.
(8) Possess or control any fish in excess of
				  the possession limit at any time.
(9) Possess or control fish of any size other
				  than that authorized by the size restriction.
(10) Use, attach or implant a telemetry
				  device on or into a fish.
(11)
				  Raise, remove or otherwise tamper with another person's commercial fishing gear
				  set in any water without permission from the licensed user. This restriction
				  does not apply to agents of the department.
(12) Use, possess, control, set or place in
				  any water any live box, or similar device that might be used for the keeping of
				  fish unless a tag of permanent material bearing the name and address or
				  department customer identification number of the owner or user is securely
				  attached and is readable and legible.
(13) Sponsor a fishing tournament unless a
				  permit has been obtained from the department pursuant to s.
				  NR
				  20.40.
(14) Capture, tag, mark or attach any object
				  and release wild fish unless issued a permit by the department pursuant to s.
				  NR
				  19.11, or by specific written authorization from the
				  department to capture, tag and immediately release fish from the wild using
				  lawful methods for the purposes of a fishing contest, including contests
				  authorized under a fishing tournament permit in s.
				  NR 20.40(10) (h)
				  2. c.
(15) Possess or control any fish in excess of
				  the total daily bag limit each day.
(16) Possess or use a sinker release device
				  while fishing in waters of the state.