Removal of Mississippi River refuges, sturgeon are on Wisconsin DNR fish list of questions

Madison — The Wisconsin DNR’s fisheries bureau has just four questions on the Monday, April 13, spring hearing agenda – three related to the removal of three fish refuges on the Mississippi River that are no longer necessary, and a fourth question regarding a possible release season for sturgeon on three waters in Burnett County.

The following explanations and questions will appear on the spring hearing questionnaire.

Refuge removal

The Onalaska spillway has been in place since the 1960s and the Red Wing and Alma dams since 1975. Regulations prohibit fishing within 300 feet below the Red Wing and Alma dams from March 1 through April 29 and within 300 feet below the Onalaska spillway from March 15 through April 25. Recent fisheries surveys indicate removal of these refuges would not negatively impact on the fishery while it would enhance angling opportunity. The refuge removals would also make law enforcement easier, as these areas have a persistent history of regulatory violations. Also, fisheries staff are tasked with checking and maintaining signage, which is frequently subject to vandalism, removal, or damage from floods. None of the other locks and dams on the Mississippi River have refuges. The Minnesota DNR supports these removals and is planning to remove similar fish refuges in their purview at these locations.

8. Would you favor the removal of the fish refuge 300 feet below the Red Wing dam from March 1 through April 29?

9. Would you favor the removal of the refuge 300 feet below the Alma dam from March 1 through April 29?

10. Would you favor the removal of the refuge 300 feet below the Onalaska spillway from March 15 through April 25 on the Mississippi and Black rivers, respectively?

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Burnett County sturgeon

The September sturgeon season provides anglers an opportunity to harvest a legal lake sturgeon from Yellow Lake, if they choose. However, many anglers are interested in having a longer season to pursue sturgeon later into the fall. Their requests coincide with many years of warmer September sturgeon seasons that likely reduce angling success. Adding an extended release season at the end of the harvest season is not expected to impact the sturgeon population. This catch-and-release addition also reflects the previous hook-and-line season length that was in place until 2009.

This proposal would add a release season to Yellow Lake, Little Yellow Lake, and the Danbury Flowage from Oct. 1-15. This season would follow the harvest season from the first weekend in September to Sept. 30. The recently implemented June through March release season is not a good fit for Yellow Lake due to its shared tribal/angling fishery, lake residing sturgeon population, and an existing trophy fishery.

11. Do you support adding a catch-and-release season for lake sturgeon from Oct. 1-15 on Yellow Lake, Little Yellow Lake, and the Danbury Flowage in Burnett County?