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DNR Pushes Increase In Walleye Bag Limit

Northwoods GOP Lawmakers Also Backing Plan

By
Wisconsin DNR (CC-BY-ND)

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants to increase the number of walleye that sportsmen can take in lakes in the ceded territories.

The proposal would set a three-bag limit for all of the lakes in the ceded territories, regardless of how many walleye are taken from those lakes during the tribal spearing season.

The plan is supported by a group of northwoods Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Rob Swearingen of Rhinelander.

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“You know, in the last several years, anglers up in northern Wisconsin have been very frustrated, as well as the people running resorts,” Swearingen said. “Why would you come up to the northwoods and rent a cabin for a weekend and only be able to get one fish in some of these lakes?”

Swearingen said Wisconsin’s Walleye Initiative restocking program should protect the lakes from being overfished.

The proposal still needs to go before the Natural Resources Board, which will consider the three-bag limit on April 8.