See This Full Issue

All Previous Archived Issues

ANGLERS, BOATERS PLAY KEY ROLE IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

Contact(s): Bob Wakeman, aquatic invasive species coordinator, 262-574-2149, Robert.Wakeman@wisconsin.gov; Jennifer Sereno, communications, 608-770-8084, Jennifer.Sereno@wisconsin.gov
May 10, 2016

MADISON, Wis. - Anglers and boaters play an important role in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and proper handling and disposal of live bait is more important than ever following the discovery of the fish egg-eating, invasive round goby in Little Lake Butte des Morts last year.

Bob Wakeman, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said anglers should never use aquatic invasive species as bait or dump unused live bait into the water. Wisconsin's bait laws are designed to prevent the spread of both obvious hitchhikers and other, less visible invaders capable of harming waterways and healthy aquatic communities.

"You may take leftover minnows purchased from a Wisconsin bait dealer away from any state water and use them again on that same water," he said. "You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water, or other fish were added to the container."

When deciding to use minnows, anglers must remember minnow harvest is prohibited on all viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) known and suspect waters. VHS is a deadly fish virus threatening Wisconsin fish such as muskies, walleye, lake whitefish, yellow perch and more. The prohibited area includes Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Winnebago system, the Mississippi River, the Wisconsin River up to the Prairie de Sac Dam and all waters connected to these waters up to the first barrier impassable to fish.

This year, anglers fishing the lower Fox River and Lake Winnebago system are being asked for special help to guard against further spread of the round goby. Round gobies can survive even in poor quality water, spawn multiple times per season and displace native fish by eating their eggs and young, taking over optimal habitat.

Gobies have become common in some areas of the state such as Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Gobies are on the Chapter NR 40 list as a restricted invasive species and it is illegal to possess, transport, transfer or introduce live gobies, including using them as bait.

While there is no evidence that gobies have reached Lake Winnebago, DNR continues to encourage Winnebago area anglers to report any goby catches through an online survey tool to help determine the extent of gobies in the region and develop a management strategy. The online tool also allows anglers to upload photos of suspected gobies for positive identification.

Anglers who catch gobies on Lake Winnebago, other parts of the Winnebago System or the lower Fox River below the Neenah and Menasha dams during the 2016 fishing season are encouraged to kill the fish by putting them on ice and bring them to the DNR Oshkosh office, 625 E. County Road Y, Suite 700, Oshkosh, Wis., 54901-9731. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anglers also may call 920-424-7880 to report gobies.

Other tips to prevent the spread of AIS include bringing your day's catch home on ice rather than transporting live fish in water. And, it's important to check trailers and live wells to avoid giving other types of unwanted aquatic hitchhikers a lift.

"Boaters and other water users are making a difference by not transporting plant material, water and debris between lakes and rivers," Wakeman said. "We are grateful for these efforts and want to encourage the continued vigilance. Boaters and anglers only need to 'Inspect, Remove, Drain and Never Move live fish" to help stop aquatic hitchhikers. If every boater and angler took a few minutes to perform these actions before leaving a lake or river, new discoveries of AIS could be even lower."

To learn more, visit the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and search "aquatic invasive species." The general Wisconsin fishing season runs from May 7, 2016 to March 5, 2017. To learn more about statewide fishing regulations and rules that apply on specific lakes, search "fishing regulations." For a complete calendar, search "fishing season dates."