Anglers have lively debates about what they consider a trophy fish, but fish biologists do not. This is because the American Fisheries Society has standard cutoffs for trophy fish for most species in North America.
Ask a fisheries biologist: What represents a trophy fish in Wisconsin? Read More »
As a young angler, I had a curiosity about why fish behave the way they do. I guess that is how one becomes a fish biologist. A fun part of this job is that I still get to wonder about those things. Sometimes we find the answers; sometimes we do not.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin fish mysteries that still exist Read More »
In July, the Hayward and Brule DNR fish teams, the National Park Service and Wild Rivers Conservancy ran an electrofishing survey on the Namekagon River near Tag Alder Road.
The 2025 numbers were record breaking in many respects.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin’s Namekagon River trout fishery is strong Read More »
If you have paddled down a northern river and peered into the water to watch fish you have probably seen a hog sucker, but perhaps only once it moved. Hog suckers are one of the best-camouflaged species of fish in Wisconsin, blending in perfectly with the scattered gravel and sand of the riverbed.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Has anyone seen a northern hog sucker? Read More »
We have always known that fish leave reservoirs by going over dams, which is a big reason why fishing below dams is so popular. Losing those fish from the reservoir, which biologists call ‘escapement,’ can be a drain on the population and a challenge for managing that fishery.
This is especially true when expensive stocked fish are leaving the lake instead of staying put and available to anglers.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Advancing our understanding of fish “escapement” at dams Read More »
“The spring spawn gets a lot of attention. Spring is when some of our most popular species, including sturgeon, muskellunge, and walleye, go through their reproductive acts. Bass and panfish are also spring spawners, but their time comes a little later in the warmer months.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin’s fish that spawn in the fall Read More »
Weather and climate, which are different, play a big role in the life of field biologists. Weather, including the temperature, wind, and rain chances, etc., might dictate if we are able to get in the field to complete a survey or other planned work.
For example, we cannot conduct electrofishing surveys in heavy rain for safety reasons, and netting fish becomes more challenging and can become dangerous under high winds. Temperature, however, plays an extremely important role in everything we do.
Ask a Fisheries Biologist: How do hot temperatures impact fall electrofishing? Read More »
Saltwater anglers often pursue a ‘grand slam’ that involves catching four prized sport fish in the same day. Technically, the IGFA says a grand slam is three species, but apparently they fish more than play baseball, and here we will consider a grand slam as four species.
It is a fun idea, challenging anglers to diversify their approach and understand how to target more than just a single species. In northern Wisconsin anglers have the opportunity for a redhorse grand slam.
Ask a Fisheries Biologist: What is Wisconsin’s redhorse grand slam? Read More »
Fishing for trout in small streams can be a lot of fun. It can also be very challenging. In our part of Wisconsin, tag alders line many trout streams and might leave only one or two access points, which are usually bridges.
Some streams might be worth a little extra effort; others might not have trout populations worth bushwhacking to access.
Ask a fisheries biologist: Categorizing Wisconsin trout streams by quality and access Read More »
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