Fishing Tournament Regulation Development

In April 2004, Wisconsin Act 249 [April 2004, PDF 14KB] was enacted, which provides the Wisconsin DNR the authority to regulate specific aspects of tournament fishing. Reducing mortality, conserving fish, alleviating on-water conflicts and balancing different types of water recreation are important goals in tournament planning and regulation.

Walleye

Walleye caught during a tournament.

The DNR, with input from the Fishing Tournament Advisory Committee, drafted new fishing tournament regulations due to the growing concern about tournament impacts on fish and on other anglers and boaters.

Comments from public hearings held in 2006 were summarized and evaluated and the draft was reviewed and revised.

The final signed rule order with fiscal estimate and green sheet will soon be posted along with the NRB meeting agenda. Persons interested in appearing before the NRB on this issue should review the public appearances guidelines and register to appear by calling NRB Executive Staff Assistance Laurie Ross at (608) 267-7420 no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2008.

Current Tournament Rule Proposal Information

Previous Rule Order and Public Hearing Documents

Contact

For more information on hosting a fishing tournament in Wisconsin or tournament rules, please contact either:

Joanna Griffin, Statewide Fisheries Database Manager,
(608) 264-8953
or
Andrew Fayram, Fisheries Policy Analyst,
(608) 266-5250

Last Revised: Thursday February 19 2009