DNR To Host Public Meeting On Lake Superior Fishery Management

BAYFIELD, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold an informational public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. to discuss the management of Lake Superior’s unique fisheries.

The meeting will discuss:

• The proposed new lake trout quota increase
• Population status updates for cisco and lake whitefish
• Potential rule changes associated with the quota changes

While these will be the primary topics discussed, there will be an opportunity for participants to engage on any fisheries management topic they are interested in.

“Quotas for lake trout and cisco are one method we use to maintain sustainable fisheries and require regular updates,” said Dray Carl, DNR Lake Superior Fisheries Biologist. “Recent data suggests that we can increase the lake trout quota to allow more harvest, which decreases the chance of closing the recreational fishery early. We look forward to using this meeting to update stakeholders on the assessments we use to monitor lake trout, cisco and lake whitefish populations.”

Lake trout, cisco and lake whitefish are harvested in Wisconsin waters for commercial, recreational and subsistence purposes by state licensees and Tribal members of the Red Cliff and Bad River Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Lake trout are the primary target of recreational anglers in Lake Superior and are the focal species used to manage the commercial fishery. Over the past few years, changes in regulations have been used to slow the lake trout decline that began in the early 2000s. The proposed quota increase shows the progress made due to reduced lake trout harvest by all parties over the past several years.

Cisco are a key species in the Lake Superior ecosystem. The 2022 cohort of cisco is possibly the largest on record and may help reverse the decades-long declining population trend.

Lake whitefish are the most commonly pursued and most valuable fish in the Lake Superior commercial fishery and have become an increasingly important species in the Chequamegon Bay region.

The DNR monitors the lake whitefish stocks closely to ensure the current management strategies are maintaining a sustainable fishery.

You can find more information on Lake Superior fisheries management on the DNR’s fisheries webpage.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Public meeting on Lake Superior fishery management

When: Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.

Where: Vaughn Public Library - Community Room
502 Main St. W
Ashland, WI 54806