Friday, December 4, 2015

WI to continue lake trout fishing restrictions in Lake Superior

[Apologies for the type face and font as copied from a pdf] 

More proof that the Great Lakes are sensitive, and its resources need care and respect: 


Having taken public input earlier this year, and with a management agreement in place that needs an extension, the Natural Resources Board's Dec. 8th meeting agenda discloses the intention to extend an emergency order reducing all parties limits on lake trout taken from Lake Superior through September 30, 2016.


Sport anglers have not been happy with the restrictions - - but here's the Natural Resources Board's agenda wording:


The purpose of the emergency rule is to amend Lake Superior lake trout harvest limits for the 2015-16 open season and implement other reasonably related changes stemming from discussions regarding the Lake Superior Fishing Agreement.

The total allowable catch of lake trout in Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior is divided among Chippewa-licensed commercial fishers, state-licensed commercial fishersChippewa subsistence fishers, and recreational fishers.


The decline in lake trout population abundances requires harvest reductions by all parties in order to ensure a sustainable lake trout fishery over the long-termThe recreational lake trout open season runs from December 1, 2015, through September 302016. 


The commercial fishing season is open November 282015, through September 302016.


The emergency rule will:

  • Adjust lake trout commercial fishing harvest quotas 
  • Implement new bag and size limit regulations for recreational fishing 
  • Implement catch and release only for the remainder of the season if harvest levels are reached in one area of the lake
  • Prohibit commercial fishing within the Gull Island Refuge Area 
  • Open the Hagen's Beach Restricted Fishing area to fishing June 1 through August 31, 2016 

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