Fishing_Content Page_Tagged fish

Tagged fish

Fishing Wisconsin

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists track fish for research purposes. There are various ways DNR marks fish which are part of these research studies:

  • a tag is attached to the fish, or
  • a radio transmitter is implanted, as noted by a wire antenna, or
  • a code wire tag is implanted, as identified by a missing adipose fin.

It is illegal to tag fish unless given a permit by the DNR.

Should you catch a DNR-tagged fish, it is very important to report the requested information promptly. The information provided by the angler helps DNR to determine fish population estimates, and harvest and exploitation rates. Your cooperation and participation are greatly appreciated.

If you release the fish, please do not remove the tags.

The tag

tagged walleye
The walleye long tag is attached to the fin

 

One common type of tag looks like a 2-inch piece of spaghetti and is located near the base of the dorsal fin (i.e., the fin along the top of the back). The tag can be of several colors. For example, on the Winnebago system, it will either be orange or yellow. Look carefully, as the tag may be covered with algae and look like a piece of a weed. Another type is a metal tag found on the dorsal fin of the fish. Each tag has a unique serial number stamped on it that identifies that fish. It may also have an address to send the tag to.

 

Requested information

Should you catch a tagged fish, it is very important to report it promptly. The information that DNR fish biologists request is fairly simple:

  • The species of fish caught.
  • The date the fish was caught.
  • The specific location where it was caught.
  • Whether it was kept or not.
  • Most importantly, the tag (i.e., serial) number.

You may also include the fish's length and weight if you know it.

If you release the fish:

  • Do not remove the tag.
  • Record the information requested above and send it in promptly to DNR or other agencies listed below.

If you keep the fish:

  • Remove the tag.
  • Don't scrape off any algae, because you may also remove the lettering on the tag.
  • Tape the tag to a card and send it in promptly to the DNR.

Sending in your information

If the tag has an address on it, send the information to that address. If your fish was caught in the following waters, follow the link to find the name and address below where you may send your information.

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On Allequash, Camp or Sparkling Lakes in Vilas County, report yourzagged fish to:

U.W. Trout Lake Station
Greg Sass
10810 County Highway N
Boulder Junction, WI 54512

 

On Annabelle, Kentuck and Squaw lakes in Vilas County, the Gile Flowage in Iron County, or Bearskin and Squirrel lakes in Oneida County, report your tagged fish to:

Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)
Attn: Mark Luehring
P.O. Box 9
Odanah, WI 54861
email: mLuehring@glifwc.org

 

On Big Round Lake in Polk County, report your tagged walleye to:

Beth Greiff, Program Director
St. Croix Tribal Natural Resources Department
24663 Angeline Avenue
Webster, WI 54893
(715) 349-2195, ext. 5141
FAX: (715) 349-5447
email: bethg@stcroixtribalcenter.com

 

On the Black River Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau and La Crosse Counties, report your tagged walleye (as much information as possible - size of fish, tag number, location where the fish was caught) to:

Dan Hatleli, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR Research Center
910 Highway 54 East
Black River Falls WI 54615
(715) 284-1428
email: daniel.hatleli@wisconsin.gov
Note: if you include your name and address, we will send you information on the tagged fish in this study.

 

On Bone Lake in Polk County, report your tagged musky to:

Aaron Cole, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
127 South Fourth Street
Barron  WI  54812
(715) 637-6864
email: aaron.cole@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Chippewa River report your tagged lake sturgeon to:

Joseph Gerbyshak, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
1300 W Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire WI  54701
(715) 461-0191

 

On the Lower Chippewa River and its flowages in Eau Claire, Dunn, and Pepin counties, report your tagged bass, walleye, and catfish to:

Joseph Gerbyshak, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
1300 W Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire WI  54701
(715) 461-0191

 

On the Lower Chippewa River report, your shovelnose sturgeon with a floy tag (several colors) labeled Baldwin, Chippewa Falls or Eau Claire to: 

Joseph Gerbyshak, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
1300 W Clairemont Avenue
Eau Claire WI  54701
(715) 461-0191

 

On Delavan Lake in Walworth County, report your tagged fish to:

Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Sturtevant Sevice Center
9531 Rayne Road, Suite 4
Sturtevant, WI 53177
(262) 822-8164

Note: if you include your name and address, we will send you information on the tagged fish in this study.

 

On the Door County waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, report tagged fish to:

Scott Hansen, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
110 South Neenah Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 746-2864
email: scott.hansen@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Lower Fox and Green Bay, report your tagged fish to:

Jason Breeggemann, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
2984 Shawano Ave
Green Bay, WI 54313
(920) 420-4619
email: Green Bay Fish Tags

 

On the Upper Fox and Green Lake, report your tagged fish to:

Scott Bunde
Wisconsin DNR
427 East Tower Drive, Suite 100
Wautoma, WI 54982-6927
(920) 787-5683
email: Wautoma Fish Tags

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On the Lac du Flambeau Chain in Vilas County, report your tagged fish to:

Lac du Flambeau Band
P.O. Box 67
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538

 

On the Madison Chain (Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and the Yahara River), report your tagged fish to:

Kyle Olivencia
Wisconsin DNR
3911 Fish Hatchery Rd
Fitchburg, WI 53711
(608) 910-1843
email: kyle.olivencia@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Menominee River in Marinette County, report your fish with Wisconsin tags to:

Jason Breeggemann, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
2984 Shawano Ave
Green Bay, WI 54313
(920) 420-4619
email: Green Bay Fish Tags

or

Tammie Paoli, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
101 N Ogden Rd
Peshtigo, WI 54157
(715) 582-5052
email: Green Bay Fish Tags

 

On Lake Michigan or the Milwaukee River report your tagged fish to:

Aaron Schiller
Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
600 E Greenfield Ave Milwaukee WI 53204
(414) 852-5488
email: aaron.schiller@wisconsin.gov


or


Laura Schmidt
Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
600 E Greenfield Ave Milwaukee WI 53204
(414) 416-0591
email: laura.schmidt@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Mississippi River report your shovelnose sturgeon with an orange or yellow floy labeled "LAX" to:

Patrick Short, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
1502 E Lessard Street
Prarie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-8818
email: patrick.short@wisconsin.gov

or


David Heath, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
3550 Mormon Coulee Road
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 785-9993
email: David.Heath@wisconsin.gov

 

On Namekagon River, in Burnette or Washburn Counties, report your tagged (Dangler tags) Lake Sturgeon to:

Craig Roberts, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
810 W. Maple Street
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 416-0351
email: craig.roberts@wisconsin.gov

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Pine Lake in Waukesha County, report your tagged fish to:

Ben Heussner, Fisheries Biologist
S91W39091 Hwy 59
Eagle Wisconsin, 53119
(414) 303-0109
email: benjamin.heussner@wisconsin.gov

 

Rock Lake, in Jefferson County, report your tagged fish to:

Mark Baldock
Wisconsin DNR
N7725 Highway 28
Horicon, WI 53032-9782
(608) 921-3651
email: mark.baldock@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong, in Dane/Jefferson/Rock Counties, report your tagged fish to:

Mark Baldock
Wisconsin DNR
N7725 Highway 28
Horicon, WI 53032-9782
(608) 921-3651
email: mark.baldock@wisconsin.gov

 

On the St. Croix River above the St. Croix Falls Dam (Burnett, Douglas, or Polk Counties) report your tagged lake sturgeon to:

Craig Roberts, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
810 W. Maple Street
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 416-0351
email: craig.roberts@wisconsin.gov

 

On the St. Croix River from the St. Croix Falls dam downstream to the confluence with the Mississippi River (Polk, St. Croix and Pierce counties), report your tagged lake sturgeon to WI by calling the number on the tag or online to MN. Lake sturgeon are tagged with floy tags on the dorsal ray.

Kasey Yallaly, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
890 Bruce Street
Baldwin, WI 54000
(715) 977-7354
email: kasey.yallaly@wisconsin.gov

 

On the St. Louis River and Duluth-Superior Harbors, report tagged fish to:

Sam Peterson, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
1701 North 4th Street
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 919-1648
email: samuel.peterson@wisconsin.gov

 

On Lake Superior, report your tagged fish to:

Scott Sapper, Fisheries Technician
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
PO Box 589
Bayfield WI  54814
(715) 779-4036
email: scott.sapper@wisconsin.gov

 

On the White River System, report your tagged brown trout to:

Scott Toshner, Fisheries Biologist
Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR, Brule Office
6250 South Ranger Road
Brule, WI 54820
(715) 372-8539 ext. 121
email: scott.toshner@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Winnebago system, report your tagged fish to:

Wisconsin DNR
625 E. Cty. Rd. Y, Ste. 700
Oshkosh, WI   54901-9731
office: (920) 303-5429
Preferred reporting method, email: DNRwinnebagosystemtagreturns@wisconsin.gov

Note: Of special importance, was the fish caught during a fishing tournament?

 

On the Wisconsin River, Lake Wisconsin, and inland waters of Sauk and Columbia Counties, report your tagged fish to:

Nate Nye
Wisconsin DNR
N3344 Stebbins Road
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-8122
email: nathan.nye@wisconsin.gov

 

On the Lower Wisconsin River, downstream of the Prairie du Sac Dam to the Mississippi River, report your tagged fish to:

Bradd Sims
Wisconsin DNR
1500 N Johns St. Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 574-2604
email: bradd.sims@wisconsin.gov

 

On Yellow Lake, in Burnette County, report your tagged (Dangler tags on dorsal ray) Lake Sturgeon to:

Craig Roberts, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin DNR
810 W. Maple Street
Spooner, WI 54801
(715) 416-0351
email: craig.roberts@wisconsin.gov

 

On Yellow River, Engle and Hickey Creeks in Barron County, report your tagged (tags are white and say WDNR, Barron 54812 with a four-digit number beginning with zero (e.g., 0501) trout to:

Aaron Cole, Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
127 South Fourth Street
Barron  WI  54812
(715) 637-6864
email: aaron.cole@wisconsin.gov

 

If you catch a fish with a wire antenna.

If you catch a fish with a missing adipose (back) fin.

If you are unsure to whom to report your information, please send us an e-mail at the Bureau of Fisheries Management.