Managing Panfish

Every year, anglers target panfish (bluegill, yellow perch, crappies) more than any other group of fish in Wisconsin. Despite their popularity, panfish historically received less management attention than other sportfish like walleye and bass. Beginning in 2011, the Panfish Management Team, consisting of DNR biologists and Conservation Congress members, initiated an effort to develop a strategic management plan for Wisconsin’s panfish. Between 2011 and 2013, more than 30 public meetings were held, and a survey offered to better connect with Wisconsin panfish anglers. Using the public input, a thorough literature review, and various data analyses, The Panfish Management Team wrote, revised, and enacted the Panfish Management Plan that now helps guide panfish management in Wisconsin.

During the public input process for the plan, one area of focus was regulations. The feedback we received was mixed. While many anglers wanted regulation changes, there was not overwhelming support for sweeping changes to statewide panfish regulations. However, anglers supported experimental regulations to address panfish populations that were not meeting management objectives for an average size of fish. To evaluate new regulations, the Department proposed experimental regulations on close to 100 selected lakes across Wisconsin that were dominated by small bluegills and black crappie. This regulation package was approved by the Natural Resources Board and went into effect on April 1, 2016. See the “Experimental panfish regulations” tab below for more information.

Panfish Plan

The new, 10-year panfish plan focuses on habitat improvements, predator management and revised bag limits to boost panfish management across Wisconsin.

Panfish management plan [PDF]

Initial public input

Panfish survey 2013

Interested anglers who attended panfish public meetings, fishing expos, sports shows and Conservation Congress meetings in February and March 2013 had the opportunity to complete a panfish survey. The results of the panfish survey were analyzed and are found below:

Panfish survey results [PDF]

Input will help guide the development of a statewide plan for managing panfish populations. We hope to provide our anglers with a variety of panfishing opportunities.

Experimental panfish regulations

Panfish rule proposal

Beginning April 1, 2016, one of three regulations was placed on 94 lakes across Wisconsin in an effort to identify which regulations are most likely to improve underperforming panfish populations and be socially acceptable. These regulations are intended to increase average panfish size on lakes that were not meeting management objectives but had the growth potential to improve. Preliminary data from the lakes are now being evaluated by biologists, and the results will be shared and discussed with the public in 2022. Ultimately, the best regulation will be selected as a standard regulation option for addressing similar issues after the experiment has ended. For more details and a list of lakes, read the full plan or factsheet.