Conservation Congress hearing panfish limit proposals

Springtime in Wisconsin means the first sightings of robins and sandhill cranes, emerging spring flowers — and statewide DNR/Conservation Congress public hearings. On April 14, the Department of Natural Resources and the grassroots Wisconsin Conservation Congress hearings in every county give sportsmen and other wildlife lovers the chance to weigh in on hunting, fishing and other conservation management questions. All meetings start at 6 p.m. In Shawano County, the meeting is at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St., Shawano. In Oconto County, it’s at Suring High School, 411 E. Algoma St., Suring. Residents can also vote and comment online from 7 p.m. April 14 through 6 p.m. April 16. Although the public votes do not directly translate to rule changes, the DNR and the Natural Resources Board look closely at the opinions to make future management decisions. This year, some of the most far-reaching questions include reduced limits on panfishing at Shawano Lake and connected waterways, an extended lake sturgeon hook-and-line season and extending fall turkey season to the northern Zones 6 and 7. DNR netting and electrofishing surveys have shown a long-term trend of smaller black crappies and other panfish in Shawano Lake. Under the DNR proposal, the total daily panfish catch limit would be reduced from the current 25 to 10 fish. This would include a combined catch of black crappies, pumpkinseeds, bluegills and yellow perch. The restriction would cover a total of 22 lakes statewide, including Shawano Lake and connected waters, as well as Crooked, Bass and Gilkey lakes in Oconto County. The 2023 survey results showed moderate to fast growth of crappies in Wolf River Pond, with fish of 8-8.9 inches aged 3-5 years (representing the 80th percentile when compared with growth of other crappies statewide) and fish of 10-10.9 inches aged 5-8 (representing the 41st to 51st percentile of growth). For comparison, crappies captured in Shawano Lake, Washington Lake and the Shawano Outlet never exceeded 8.9 inches and were mostly 4 or 5 years old, representing moderate growth. Loon Lake crappies also remained under 9 inches but were 5-13 years old, representing slow growth. One goal with the reduced daily limit is to allow some panfish to achieve a larger size. Biologists noted a few larger fish can produce as much meat as many smaller fish. The DNR began a 25-panfish limit (with a 10-fish limit per species) or two other experimental limits (15 aggregate limit including five of each species, or the same limit during May and June with 25 aggregate the rest of the year) on 94 lakes statewide in 2016 as an experiment. Results showed a general increase in size. These regulations will expire on March 31, 2026. Other fish and game regulations changes on the hearing ballot include: • A catch-and-release season for lake sturgeon from the first Saturday in June through the first Sunday in March on selected waters. Current law only allows hook-and-line lake sturgeon fishing from the first Saturday in September through Sept. 30. • One inland trout fishing limit statewide on a county basis of five fish and no size limit. Currently, there are two regulations: either a five-fish bag and no size minimum or a three-fish bag and 8-inch minimum. Surveys show most trout anglers release smaller fish regardless of regulation. • Allow disabled hunters to hunt deer during the two-day October youth hunt. Because the nine-day disabled hunt (first Saturday in October for nine consecutive days) overlaps with the youth hunt, the new regulation would allow disabled hunters to hunt their own land during the youth hunt. They must continue to hunt in designated areas during the rest of the disabled season as is current law. • Allow non-edible parts of a deer, bear or elk to be left in the field after harvest. • Allow trappers to check traps using technology such as cellular trail cameras. • Allow fall turkey hunting in northern zones 6 and 7. • Require bear baits on public land to be labeled with the name and address or license number of the person placing the baits. • Elimination of lead ammunition and fishing tackle. • Allow county deer advisory councils to extend the archery deer season until Jan. 31 without approving a holiday hunt. To see the full 2025 questionnaire, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/About/WCC/2025/2025_.... The state’s Conservation Congress will hold statewide delegate elections at the meeting. Two of each county’s five delegates are up for election to two-year terms. For more details on the spring hearings, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing. Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com.