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WI Natural Resources Board June 2019 Webcast

Learn about the importance of catfish, their movement patterns, biology, vulnerability to harvest, and regulations proposed by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. Find out how these regulations aim to protect catfish populations while still providing recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.

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WI Natural Resources Board June 2019 Webcast

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  1. WI Natural Resources BoardJune 2019 Webcast AGENDA ITEM # 4D, Catfish Permanent Rule Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  2. Background • 2017 Wisconsin Act 297 established that catfish may now be taken by bow, crossbow or by hand • Level of participation uncertain • Act 297 did not prohibit the department from establishing additional regulations on bag or size limits, seasons, etc. AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  3. Catfish Importance • Important recreational and commercial fisheries • Provide anglers with trophy and harvest opportunities • Top level predators and scavengers • Host for glochidia of several mussel species AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  4. Catfish Movement • Migratory in life history • Overwintering areas • Spawning areas • Summer resting areas • Migrations from a couple miles up to 100 miles are common AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  5. Catfish Biology • Migratory life history • Flathead Catfish • Channel Catfish AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  6. Catfish Vulnerability to Harvest • Overwintering • Spawning • At night AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  7. Other States • Hand fishing in nearby states • No Hand Fishing allowed in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri** • Aggregate daily limit of 5 in Kentucky • ** Mo. had a trial period in 2005/2006 AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  8. Other States • Bow fishing catfish in nearby states • Not allowed in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri • Kentucky aggregate daily limit of 5 • Illinois has a daily bag limit of 6 in total on most waters • Michigan has a daily bag limit of 10 for channel catfish and 5 for flatheads AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  9. Proposed Rules • Bag limits: 5 for channel catfish, 1 for flathead catfish • Size limits: None except on waters with hook and line size limits • Seasons: • Bow/Crossbow: concurrent with rough fish (continuous in most cases) • Hand fishing: June 1 – August 31 • Hand fishing gear restrictions • No commercial harvest by these methods AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  10. Rule Modifications • Clarified bow, crossbow and hand fishing regulations for bullheads – follow rough fish seasons • Request from the public hearings • Clarified bag limit for flathead catfish on Winnebago system waters AGENDA ITEM #4D, Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist, and Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

  11. WI Natural Resources Board AGENDA ITEM # 4D Bradd Sims, Fisheries Biologist Meredith Penthorn, Policy Specialist

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