Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 1 - Natural Resources Board Policies › Section NR 1.02 - Inland fisheries management

Current through June 24, 2024
The following actions are essential to carry out an
				  effective fish management program.
(1)
				LAND ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT. The department shall provide for the
				protection of habitat essential to the maintenance of fish populations and for
				providing quality fishing opportunities through the acquisition of lands by
				gift or purchase. These lands shall be developed to provide access or be
				maintained as wilderness areas according to their potential.
(2) HABITAT PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT. The
				department shall actively protect and maintain habitat capable of supporting
				aquatic species. Management efforts include deterring point and nonpoint
				pollution, vegetation control, rough fish control, water level manipulation and
				limiting shoreline development. Habitat shall be improved where fish
				populations can be increased and such improvements are economically and
				ecologically feasible. Improvements include in-stream devices, wing deflectors,
				bank riprap, stream bank fencing, fish shelters, dredging and streamside
				brushing. The application of these techniques shall be consistent with the wild
				and wilderness policies of the board.
(3) SURVEYS AND RESEARCH. Programs shall be
				based on sound surveys and research. The department shall survey lakes and
				streams to obtain information needed to develop and implement management
				programs. Research shall be conducted to evaluate and resolve problems that
				have been defined.
(4) PROPAGATION,
				REARING AND DISTRIBUTION.
(a) The department
				shall rear fish for stocking in waters lacking adequate natural reproduction
				and where reasonable returns are demonstrated by surveys. Stocking priorities
				will be based on use opportunities, hatchery production capabilities, cost and
				habitat potential. Stocking of exotic species shall be thoroughly
				evaluated.
(b) The department shall
				implement fish stocking strategies that recognize economic impact by species,
				provide opportunities to resident and non-resident anglers, and ensure that
				fish stocked are best suited to survive and thrive in the unique ecological
				conditions found throughout the state. These strategies shall be developed in
				coordination and consultation with private aquaculturists to ensure effective
				coordination and partnerships in protecting, sustaining and improving the
				genetic integrity of native, nonnative and self-sustained populations of fish
				of the species defined in s.
				NR
				40.02(30) within the state.
(c) Preserving the genetic integrity of fish
				stocks that are documented and proven to survive and thrive in Wisconsin waters
				is a central goal of fisheries management in Wisconsin. All fish stocking in
				Wisconsin inland waters shall be authorized under a permit issued by the
				department and shall be conducted to maintain the genetic boundaries of fish
				best adapted to those waters. Stocking shall be considered an important
				restoration tool used to reestablish naturally reproducing populations and may
				not be conducted to the potential detriment of natural reproduction.
(d) In order to effectively meet statewide
				stocking goals, the department shall, on an annual basis, make available fish
				or fish eggs to private entities so they have access to the same genetic fish
				strains the state maintains in its hatchery system. This will provide
				additional resources and opportunities to ensure that statewide stocking needs
				are met through coordination and partnerships between the department and
				private entities.