Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 25 - Commercial fishing In Outlying Waters And Wholesale Fish Dealers › Subchapter II - Commercial Fishing - Outlying Waters › Section NR 25.05 - Open seasons; size limits; possession and harvest limits

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) OPEN SEASONS.
				  In the outlying waters there shall be an open season subject to other
				  conditions established in this chapter and by statute on the various species of
				  fish embraced within specified dates, both inclusive, as follows. During any
				  time other than the open season no person may take, catch or kill fish or fish
				  for fish, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter.
Species
A Green Bay
B Lake Michigan
C Lake Superior
(a)
Lake trout
No open season
No open season
November 28 to September 30, subject to the
								  requirements in ss.
								  NR 25.06(1)
								  (a),
								  25.07(1)
								  (a), and
								  25.09(7)
								  and subdivided into the following periods:
1. Period 1: November 28 to March 31
2. Period 2: April 1 to May 31
3. Period 3: June 1 to September 30
(b)
Siscowet
No open season
No open season
At all times in waters greater than 55 fathoms in
								  depth
(c)
Whitefish
December 1 to October 31
December 1 to October 31
November 28 to September 30, subdivided into the
								  following periods:
1. Period 1: November 28 to March 31
2. Period 2: April 1 to May 31
3. Period 3: June 1 to September 30
(d)
Chubs
No open season
1. In the northern chub fishing zone:
a. From April 26 to January 15.
b. From January 16 to April 25, only in water 45
								  fathoms deep or deeper.
2. In the southern chub fishing zone:
a. From April 26 to January 15, only in water
								  south of 44° 32' north latitude.
b. From January 16 to the end of February, only
								  in water 45 fathoms deep or deeper
c. From March 1 to April 25, only in water south
								  of 44° 32' north latitude which is 45 fathoms deep or deeper
At all times
(e)
Yellow perch
1. Southern Green Bay:
a. January 1 to March 15 - no open water fishing;
								  commercial ice fishing is the only method allowed
b. March 16 to May 19 - no open season
c. May 20 to June 30 - only gill nets are allowed
d. July 1 to March 15 - all legal gear under this
								  chapter is allowed
2. Northern Green Bay:
a. January 1 to March 15 - no open water fishing;
								  commercial ice fishing is the only method allowed
b. March 16 to April 30 - no gill nets allowed;
								  all other legal gear under this chapter is allowed
c. May 1 to September 14 - no open sea- son
d. September 15 to March 15 - all legal gear
								  under this chapter is allowed
See map for details
No open season
No open season
(g)
Menominees (round whitefish)
At all times
At all times
At all times
(gm)
Carp, bullheads, burbot, catfish, gizzard shad,
								  suckers, white bass, white perch
No open season except by permit or contract
								  issued under s. 29.417,
								  29.421 or
								  29.424, Stats.
No open season except by permit or contract
								  issued under s. 29.417,
								  29.421 or
								  29.424, Stats
At all times
(gn)
Smelt
At all times except trawls may be used only from
								  June 15 to September 30 and only from one hour after sunset to one hour before
								  sunrise
At all times except trawls may used only from
								  Nov. 15 to April 20
At all times
(h)
Cisco
No open season
No open season
January 1 to December 31
(i)
Walleye, sauger
No open season
No open season
No open season
(j)
Others
No open season
No open season
No open season
See PDF for
					 diagram
(2) SIZE
				  LIMITS. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, no fish of a
				  length or size less than that specified for each variety of any of the
				  following varieties may be possessed or under control. The measurement of the
				  length of a fish within the meaning of this chapter shall be taken in a
				  straight line in a natural position without manipulation from the tip of the
				  snout to the end of the fully extended tail fin. The measurement of length
				  shall apply without allowance made for the shrinkage of the fish.
Species
A Green Bay
B Lake Michigan
C Lake Superior
(a)
Lake trout
No size limit for gill nets and a maximum of 25
								  inches for entrapping nets
(b)
Siscowet
No size limit
(c)
Whitefish
17 inches
17 inches
17 inches
(d)
Yellow perch
8 inches in northern Green Bay, 7½ inches
								  in southern Green Bay
8 inches
(e)
Walleye
18 inches
(g)
Catfish
16 inches
16 inches
(h)
Others
No size limit
No size limit
No size limit
(3)
				  POSSESSION AND HARVEST LIMITS. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no
				  person may do any of the following:
(a)
				  Possess species of fish for which there is no open season.
(b) While on the water, possess species of
				  fish outside of the open season for that species.
(c) Catch, take or kill more fish than
				  authorized by his or her harvest limit, except as provided in par. (g). The
				  harvest limit for species of fish for which an open season is provided and a
				  quota has been established shall be the individual quota established by
				  commercial fishing boards or the department for the person harvesting the
				  fish.
(d) Fish for a species of
				  fish in a zone for which the person has no harvest limit.
(e) At the time of landing, possess fish eggs
				  that weigh more than 25% of the simultaneously landed dressed carcasses of fish
				  of the species from which the eggs were taken.
(f) At the time of landing, possess fish
				  viscera that weighs more than 50% of the simultaneously landed dressed
				  carcasses of fish of the species from which the viscera were taken.
(g) Take, catch or kill more fish, by species
				  and zone, than authorized by the total of the person's individual catch quotas
				  and permits under the person's fleet reporting program, if the person is
				  engaged in fleet reporting under s.
				  NR
				  25.135.
(h) Take catfish with a bow and arrow or
				  crossbow or by hand under the authority of a commercial fishing
				  license.