Wi approves statewide trolling

[Lee Borgersen]

                  Wisconsin NRB approves statewide trolling with 3-year sunset
 
May 28, 2014

Anglers in Wisconsin would be able to motor troll statewide beginning next year under a rule approved Wednesday by the Natural Resources Board.


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However, under a 3-year sunset provision added by the board, the rule would expire in 2018 unless additional action is taken.

The Department of Natural Resources would use information gathered on catch and harvest rates on waters affected by the expanded trolling opportunities to help guide recommendations on any permanent motor trolling rules.

The rule is subject to Legislative review.

Beginning in 2015, the rule approved Wednesday by the board would:

• Allow motor trolling with at least one line per angler on all inland waters in Wisconsin.

• In 55 counties in the state, all inland waters would be open to motor trolling with up to three lines per angler.

• In the remaining 17 counties - on waters not currently open to trolling - trolling would be allowed but would be limited to one line per angler and no more than two lines per boat, which means no more than two anglers trolling at a time. The rule would affect Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Iron, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oneida, Ozaukee, Sawyer, Sheboygan, Vilas, Washington and Waushara counties.

The 3-year sunset clause means the new rule, which would take effect in 2015 pending legislative review, will revert to the current rule in 2018 unless the board takes additional action.

This action will give the DNR and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress time to engage anglers and explore issues related to motor trolling in counties where the proposal was opposed during the spring fish and game hearings, the agency said.

The proposal to allow trolling statewide with at least one line per angler was supported at the 2014 spring fish and game rule hearings by a majority of individuals - 3,646 to 2,250 - and by majority votes in 61 of the state's 72 counties.

One key goal of the proposal, sought by musky anglers, is to legalize statewide the practice of trailing live bait behind a boat, while casting with another rod. Under current rules, trailing a sucker or other minnow behind the boat while under power, however briefly, is considered trolling.

Trolling is currently allowed on all waters in 18 counties; on one or more specific waters in 45 counties (105 total waters); and on the boundary waters with Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan, except on Vilas County boundary waters. Disabled anglers can troll anywhere by special permit.

DNR biologists told the board Wednesday that years of data have shown no harmful biological effects to fisheries in lakes where trolling has been legal. Trolling is broadly allowed in surrounding states and in Canadian provinces.