Max Wolter Wisconsin DNR Fish Biologist

Catch-and-release has become the overwhelming mode of operation for many anglers, particularly for muskellunge, bass, and trout. Even anglers looking to harvest fish often have to release some because they are not of legal size.
There is still a chance a released fish will die because it was caught. We refer to this as ‘hooking mortality.’

Anglers often have an interest in regulations.
Some anglers think about regulations in terms of how it might affect their harvest, but many look at regulations from the standpoint of what they allow others to do. The motivation to support lower bag limits is often a belief that other anglers are keeping too many fish.