Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 19 - Miscellaneous Fur, Fish, Game And Outdoor Recreation › Subchapter I - Miscellaneous › Section NR 19.275 - Turtles

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY. This section applies to
				  the taking and possession of turtles in Wisconsin, except for the
				  Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters and the Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters,
				  where the taking and possession of turtles is governed by ss.
				  NR
				  21.13 and 22.13, respectively.
(2) SEASONS; POSSESSION AND DAILY BAG LIMITS.
				  No person may take turtles except during the open seasons established in sub.
				  (4). For the purpose of turtle harvest, the possession limits are the same as
				  the daily bag limits.
(3)
				  ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS. No person may do any of the following:
(a) Take, possess or control a turtle unless
				  the person is in possession of a valid approval which authorizes the hunting of
				  small game or which authorize fishing, unless otherwise exempt from the need to
				  possess one of more of these approvals to hunt or fish under ch. 29, Stats.
Note:
The s.
					 29.228,
					 Stats., fishing license exemption for nonresidents under age 16 only applies to
					 taking fish by hook and line. Therefore, any nonresident under age 16 who takes
					 turtles by hand, hooking or with hoop net turtle traps must possess a valid
					 fishing or small game authorization.
(b) Take turtles by methods other than hoop
				  net turtle traps that comply with par. (c), hand, hook, and line when in
				  possession of a fishing license, setline, or set or bank poles when in
				  possession of a setline or set or bank pole license used in compliance with s.
				  NR
				  20.12, or hooking.
(c) Use a hoop net turtle trap to take
				  turtles unless it complies with all of the following criteria:
1. It is constructed with no less than 6 inch
				  stretch measure mesh net as defined in s.
				  NR
				  25.02(28).
2. The net is nylon or other stretchable
				  fabric. Wire may not be used.
3. It
				  is constructed with a funnel entrance at one or both ends which are tied off to
				  the sides or the opposite ends. The opening in the funnel may be round or
				  oval.
4. It is designed and set so
				  the closed sides sit horizontal in the water.
Note:
There is no restriction on the size of
					 the trap itself or the number of hoops used in its
					 construction.
(d)
				  Use a hoop net turtle trap unless it is placed on the bed of the stream, river,
				  lake or pond so that a minimum of 2 inches of the trap is above the water's
				  surface.
(e) Use a hoop net turtle
				  trap unless it is checked and the entrapped contents removed at least once each
				  day.
(f) Place, use or tend more
				  than 3 hoop net turtle traps.
(g)
				  Use a hoop net turtle trap unless a stamped or engraved metal tag, bearing the
				  name and address or department customer identification number of the operator
				  of the trap in the English language, is attached in a manner that is visible
				  above water and legible at all times.
(h) Place, use or tend a hoop net turtle trap
				  or remove its entrapped contents unless that person is the operator identified
				  on the trap tag.
(i) Use fish,
				  including parts of fish, as bait except that fish and fish parts may be used as
				  bait in the same body of water from which the fish was obtained, or if the fish
				  are minnows obtained from a Wisconsin bait dealer, or with written approval of
				  the department.
(j) Place, set, or
				  use a hoop net turtle trap within 200 feet of any fishway, lock, or
				  dam.
(k) Place, set or use any hook
				  and line, setline or bank pole for taking turtles in a manner or at any time
				  during which these methods are not allowed for taking fish under ss.
				  NR 20.06
				  and 20.12.