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 IV - Turtles › Section NR 21.13 - Turtles

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY. This section applies to
				  the taking and possession of turtles in the Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary
				  waters.
(2) SEASONS; POSSESSION AND
				  DAILY BAG LIMITS. No person may take turtles on the Wisconsin-Minnesota
				  boundary waters except during the open season established in sub. (4). For the
				  purpose of Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary water 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 authorizes fishing, unless
				  otherwise exempt under ch. 29, Stats., from the need to possess one of more of
				  these approvals to hunt or fish.
(b) Take turtles by methods other than hoop
				  net turtle traps complying with par. (c), hand, hook and line, hooking or
				  incidental to commercial fishing authorized under this chapter by a fisher
				  possessing a valid license issued under s.
				  29.523,
				  29.526,
				  29.529,
				  Stats.
(c) Use a hoop net turtle
				  trap to trap turtles, except when taken by a licensed commercial fisher under
				  s.
				  29.523,
				  Stats., incidental to fishing authorized under those licenses, 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 10 hoop net turtle traps.
(g)
				  Use a hoop net turtle trap unless a stamped or engraved metal tag, bearing the
				  name and address 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) Place, set or use a hoop net turtle trap
				  within 200 feet of any fishway, lock or dam.
(j) 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
				  NR
				  20.12.