Wisconsin DNR Reports

New DNR secretary makes first appointments to leadership team

January 11, 2019

Wisconsin DNR Reports

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin DNR Secretary Preston Cole announced the first appointments to his leadership team, the DNR said in a news release Friday, Jan. 11. Elizabeth Kluesner has been named deputy secretary. She is currently the DNR liaison to local and federal government. Previous to holding the position, she was the Nature is our Business project coordinator at the…

Invasive snails found in two additional Wisconsin streams

December 4, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

These findings now make six known inland streams with populations of New Zealand mudsnails.

DNR: New emergency catfish regs to provide harvest opportunities, protect fish during spawning, overwintering seasons

December 3, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Temporary rules establishing bag limits, season dates, and other regulations for harvesting catfish with a bow, crossbow or by hand are now in place while Department of Natural Resources staff complete a companion permanent rule.

You can help track wolves in Wisconsin

October 5, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Completion of classes required to participate in wolf monitoring program as a volunteer carnivore tracker.

Wisconsin names Wildlife Stamp Art Contest winners

August 8, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR recently announced the winners of the 2019 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contests. Eighteen wildlife artists submitted a total of 24 pieces of artwork for the 2019 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl stamp design contest. Judging was held on July 20 at the Natural Resources Building in Madison. The judges…

Hot-button topics highlight Natural Resources Board meeting

August 3, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

A request to approve an emergency order for proposed rules related to deer carcass transportation, deer farm fencing, and chronic wasting disease, and requests to approve scope statements for developing rules related to off-highway motorcycles and to establish an early closure of the ruffed grouse among items on agenda.

Wisconsin DNR: Lake Michigan stocking plan paying off for anglers [video]

August 3, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The Lake Michigan stocking strategy was developed over more than two years with discussion and input from more than 500 anglers, business owners and other stakeholders.

‘You never plan to catch something that big – it’s a gift’

July 26, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Mother breaks daughter’s pumpkinseed record; anglers reel in stringer of fish records so far in 2018.

Sharp-tailed grouse hunting: 25 permits up for grabs in Unit 8 in NW Wisconsin

July 26, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Application period is Aug. 1-31.

First no-fee public shooting range opens in southern Wisconsin in more than 20 years

July 24, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The facility is at the Mud Lake Wildlife Area. It features 100- and 50-yard rifle ranges, a 50-yard shotgun patterning range and a 25-foot pistol range; earthen backstops and side berms and overhead baffles in shooting sheds to ensure everyone’s safety.

First case of CWD reported in Wisconsin’s Marinette County

July 10, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

As of July, baiting and feeding of deer will be prohibited in 43 Wisconsin counties, including the additions of Marinette and Florence.

Proposal would open 35 miles of state forest roads to motorized access for hunting

July 9, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

None of the proposed roads connect to all-terrain vehicle or utility vehicle trails, routes, or Town roads designated as ATV/UTV routes, therefore ATV/UTV use is not proposed at this time.

VHS confirmed as cause of fish kill in Lake Winnebago

June 28, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

A DNR fisheries biologist first responded to reports of dead fish in the Fond du Lac area on April 24 and found hundreds of dead fish, mostly sheepshead, as well as common carp, black crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass and bluegill.

Heavy rains wreaking havoc on Wisconsin waterways

June 22, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The DNR says to check your local water conditions before boating or paddling, swimming or any water activity. (National Park Service)MADISON, Wis. — June storms packing heavy downpours have pushed lake and river levels into flood levels, tossed debris into waterways and accelerated currents statewide, prompting Wisconsin DNR officials to remind all water users to think safety by checking local…

Catch-and-release only for Anvil Lake walleyes

May 29, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The DNR is taking the action after learning that Lac du Flambeau tribal members exceeded their permitted harvest of walleye from the lake.

Baiting and feeding ban renewed in Oneida County following new CWD detection

April 20, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The CWD-positive one-year-old doe was harvested on a disease surveillance permit issued within a 10-mile radius of the recent Lincoln County positive detection. It’s Oneida County’s first CWD-positive wild deer.

Wisconsin celebrates proposed removal of Kirtland’s warbler from federal endangered species list

April 12, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Wisconsin’s population has grown from only 11 Kirtland’s warblers and three nests documented in 2007 to 53 birds and 20 total nests in 2017.

Duck opening dates, Canada geese bag limits/zones highlight changes in Wisconsin migratory bird hunting regs [video]

April 11, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

North duck zone will open one week later than in previous years, resulting in a single statewide opener for the North, South and Mississippi zones on Sept. 29; daily Canada goose bag limit increased to three birds per day.

Illinois woman dies from fall at Devil’s Lake State Park

April 2, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Devil’s Lake State Park. (Wisconsin DNR)SAUK COUNTY, Wis. — An Illinois woman died Wednesday, March 28 from a fall while rope climbing on the East Bluff at Devil’s Lake State Park in Sauk County, according to Lt. Mike Green of the DNR Bureau of Law Enforcement. Green said the victim was identified by local authorities as Savannah Buik, 22, of Chicago….

Several notable changes proposed for 2018 Wisconsin waterfowl hunting season

March 7, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

A new proposal has the North Zone duck season opening on Sept. 29, which is a week later than previous seasons.MADISON — The Wisconsin DNR noted its proposed waterfowl hunting season structure and information regarding feedback during March meetings and via written comment in a news release Wednesday, March 7. Notable changes in 2018 compared to past proposals: North Zone duck…

DNR announces updated CWD Response Plan

March 2, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

Increased surveillance and sampling, carcass movement restrictions and local community involvement are just some the goals.

First CWD detection in Lincoln County means baiting, feeding ban in Lincoln, Langlade counties

January 22, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The ban for Lincoln County will be enacted for three years. Langlade County is within 10 miles of the Lincoln County positive wild deer, and due to being adjacent to a county with a CWD positive test result, a two-year ban will be enacted.

Temporary rule closes lake trout fishing on Lake Michigan

January 19, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

The season will reopen March 1 with a bag limit of two fish. DNR staff are currently working on additional rulemaking that would remove the closed season on lake trout and increase bag limits.

Baiting, feeding bans set to begin for La Crosse, Dodge counties

January 16, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

This new positive CWD detections.

New pricing structure set to go into effect at Wisconsin State Park System

January 12, 2018

Wisconsin DNR Reports

(Wisconsin DNR)MADISON — A new demand-based pricing structure for Wisconsin State Park System properties will go into effect on Feb. 15 that is intended to encourage use and manage capacity while providing funds for property improvements that directly enhance visitor experiences, the Wisconsin DNR said in a news release Friday, Jan. 12. There will be no increase in the annual…

DNR confirms cougar photos from Douglas County

December 22, 2017

Wisconsin DNR Reports

It is unknown whether this cougar is the same animal photographed on multiple trail cameras in central Wisconsin between early August and late October 2017.