Virtual Lake Michigan Whitefish Public Hearing Feb. 8

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a preliminary public hearing on a statement of scope that will allow the DNR to begin work on an emergency rule relating to Lake Michigan whitefish management, with a focus on Green Bay.

Models indicate that whitefish populations have increased in Green Bay and additional harvest may aid businesses that are recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Improved reporting requirements in Green Bay may also provide valuable data for managing the overall population of whitefish in Lake Michigan, and for monitoring bycatch of non-target species while fishing for whitefish. The scope statement outlines topics for possible rules, such as whitefish harvest allocations, electronic harvest reporting and gear restrictions.

The hearing will take place virtually via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. Preregistration is not required but is strongly encouraged if you plan to provide spoken comments at the hearing. To preregister, please download and complete the fillable hearing appearance form and send to Meredith.Penthorn@wisconsin.gov. 

At this time, specific rule proposals have not been developed. This meeting is an opportunity for the public to comment on topics in the scope statement that may be the subject of future rule-making.

A preliminary public hearing is required before Natural Resources Board (NRB) approval of the scope statement. While a scope statement contains the general topics a rule may address, Wisconsin law requires that a scope statement be approved by the NRB prior to developing a rule.

“The scope statement is one of the first steps toward rule-making,” said Brad Eggold, DNR Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor. “Based on the input gathered during this preliminary public hearing, and if the scope statement is approved, the DNR will work with commercial and sport fishers, the Lake Michigan Commercial Fishing Board and the public on this emergency rule related to lake whitefish management or reporting requirements.”

More information on Lake Michigan commercial fishing and whitefish management can be found on the DNR’s website.