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Max Wolter Wisconsin DNR Fish Biologist

Ask a Fisheries Biologist: What is Wisconsin’s redhorse grand slam?

Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

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 »

Ask a fisheries biologist: Categorizing Wisconsin trout streams by quality and access

Features, Fishing, National Fishing, Wisconsin /

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 »

Ask a Fisheries Biologist: A look at Wisconsin’s freshwater shrimp

Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

I have talked with many anglers who have spent time fishing lakes in North Dakota and South Dakota. They often return crowing about some of the fisheries built there, with a prey base of ‘freshwater shrimp.’
So what are freshwater shrimp and how are they special?

Ask a Fisheries Biologist: A look at Wisconsin’s freshwater shrimp Read More »

Ask a Fisheries Biologist: Mapping fish species movement

Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, News, Wisconsin /

Wisconsin is home to more than 160 fish species. Of those, anglers routinely target only one or two dozen of them, leaving a whole lot of rare species that anglers do not often see. 
DNR biologists document where these rare species occur throughout Wisconsin and have “distribution maps” that show the waters where we have observed each species. Wisconsin fish surveys have gone on for more than 100 years, and as a result, we have a good idea where different species occur and the maps do not change much. 

Ask a Fisheries Biologist: Mapping fish species movement Read More »

Ask a fisheries biologist: Details from a Chippewa Flowage fish survey taken by Wisconsin DNR team

Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, National News, News, Wisconsin /

The Hayward DNR fish team ran a brief netting survey on the east side of the Chippewa Flowage this spring to gather some quick data on the status of black crappies, northern pike, and walleyes, though the timing was better for crappies than other species. We are able to compare this year’s results to past surveys to determine how the fishery has changed over time.

Ask a fisheries biologist: Details from a Chippewa Flowage fish survey taken by Wisconsin DNR team Read More »

Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin’s native, non-native species

Features, Fishing, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

This week, DNR Fish Biologist Max Wolter discusses our native species, and those that are not native.
For Wisconsin anglers, brook trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and bluegills are some of our most popular native fish species. They have beloved roles in Wisconsin’s fishing culture and anglers get excited to chase them in local waters. However, there are parts of the world where these species are not supposed to be, and they have a very different reputation.

Ask a fisheries biologist: Wisconsin’s native, non-native species Read More »

Ask a fisheries biologist: What are “triploid” fish?

Features, Fishing, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

Stocking a new fish species into a lake can change it forever, particularly if the stocked fish begin reproducing. In those scenarios, it might never be possible to get rid of that new species. We have seen that issue in some lakes with the (presumed) illegal stocking of northern pike.
Fisheries scientists, however, have figured out a way to stock a ‘triploid’ fish that will only be in the waterbody temporarily.

Ask a fisheries biologist: What are “triploid” fish? Read More »

Ask a fisheries biologist: Diet overlap among game fish

Features, Fishing, National Fishing, Nature Page & Night Sky, Wisconsin /

The diet of predatory fish is always a topic of interest for anglers, though for varying reasons. Anglers chasing muskies might want to understand the fish’s diet to better target it with their presentations. Other anglers might have concerns about predatory fish eating too many of the other fish they want to target, such as panfish and trout, etc.

Ask a fisheries biologist: Diet overlap among game fish Read More »

Ask a fisheries biologist: Research illustrates the futility of trying to release bow-shot fish

Fishing, National Fishing, Wisconsin /

Bowfishing is a popular practice, with at least some legal opportunities in all 50 states.
Unlike hook-and-line angling, bowfishing does not lend itself to the release of fish. The practice of attempting to release a fish shot by bow is not legal in most states, including Wisconsin, and recent research illustrates the futility of trying to release bow-shot fish.

Ask a fisheries biologist: Research illustrates the futility of trying to release bow-shot fish Read More »

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