Statewide trolling rule to take effect July 1 In WI

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Dewey
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Statewide trolling rule to take effect July 1 In WI

Unread postby Dewey » Thu Jun 11, 2015 3:51 am

MADISON - A rule to allow motor trolling while fishing on all inland waters of Wisconsin takes effect July 1, 2015.
Trolling means fishing by trailing any lure, bait or similar device that may be used to attract or catch fish from a boat propelled by means other than drifting, pedaling, paddling or rowing. Drifting or "row trolling" is allowed on all waters statewide. Previously motor trolling had been prohibited on waters unless allowed under special regulations.
The rule received extensive public input through Wisconsin Conservation Congress hearings and was reviewed and approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. The rule extends trolling opportunities to all waters, said Tim Simonson, a DNR fisheries management specialist.

Under the new rule, in most counties anglers may troll using up to three hooks, baits or lures with no restrictions per boat. However, trolling is allowed with only one hook, bait or lure per angler and two hooks, baits or lures per boat in certain counties and in certain waters of other counties. For a listing of waters open to trolling with three hooks, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for "trolling."
In addition to simplifying fishing regulations, Simonson said the rule will reduce confusion that may occur when a technique called "position fishing" is used. Position fishing involves fishing from a boat with a line that extends vertically into the water while the boat is maneuvered with a motor. The new rule allows anglers to trail at least one sucker, minnow or other bait or lure behind a moving motor boat, regardless of whether the occupants are casting other lures. It also provides additional fishing opportunities for anglers who may have difficulty fishing by other methods and would eliminate the need for disabled anglers to apply for trolling permits.
Simonson said analysis of available data indicates no difference between casting and trolling in terms of angling success or "catch rate" for muskellunge, walleye and northern pike.
The rule expires on May 4, 2018, but many anglers have expressed interest in continuing to make the trolling option available. The department will assess trolling over the next couple years and work with anglers to develop another trolling proposal for 2018 and beyond.

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dreaming bucks
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Re: Statewide trolling rule to take effect July 1 In WI

Unread postby dreaming bucks » Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:03 am

Wow! I never thought that would happen!

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Dewey
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Re: Statewide trolling rule to take effect July 1 In WI

Unread postby Dewey » Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:33 am

Here is more detail on this. Print out and keep in your boat.


On July 1, 2015, the regulations on motor trolling in Wisconsin will be changing. Prior to that date, please consult the current hook and line regulations for the interim regulations.

Trolling defined

According to NR 20.03(40) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, "troll" or "trolling" means fishing by trailing any lure, bait or similar device that may be used to attract or catch fish from a boat propelled by a means other than drifting, pedaling, paddling, or rowing. Casting and immediate retrieval of a bait, lure or similar device while the motor is running (or “position fishing”) is not considered trolling.
Motor trolling in Wisconsin

On July 1, 2015, trolling will be allowed on all inland waters with 1 hook, bait or lure per angler (and 2 hooks, baits or lures maximum per boat), unless more hooks, baits or lures are specifically authorized.

In addition, trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits or lures per angler on the following waters:

Inland Waters - 3 hooks, baits or lures per angler

All waters of the following counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Winnebago, and Wood;

Door County – Clarks Lake and Kangaroo Lake;

Florence County – Halsey Lake;

Fond du Lac County – Fond du Lac River and Lake Winnebago;

Jackson County – Lake Arbutus;

Lincoln County - Spirit River Flowage, Wisconsin River from County Highway A downstream, including sloughs, bayous and flowages except Lake Mohawksin;

Marathon County - Big Eau Pleine Flowage upstream to the highway 153 bridge, Lake Dubay and its tributaries west of Interstate Highway 39, and the Wisconsin River (including all other sloughs, bayous and flowages and their tributaries upstream to the first highway bridge);

Marquette County – Buffalo Lake, Mason Lake, and the Fox River (downstream from Buffalo Lake);

Oneida County – Columbus Lake, Rainbow Flowage, Sugar Camp Lake, Thunder Lake, and Willow Flowage;

Sawyer County – Chetac Lake, Grindstone Lake, Lac Court Oreilles, Nelson Lake, Round Lake, Whitefish Lake, and Windigo Lake;

Sheboygan County - Sheboygan Marsh (including Sheboygan Lake and its tributaries upstream to the first road crossing);

Washington County - Big Cedar Lake and Pike Lake;

Waushara County – Lake Poygan and the Fox River;

All other inland waters not listed above: Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait or lure per angler (and 2 hooks, baits or lures maximum per boat).

Boundary Waters - 3 hooks, baits or lures per angler

Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters, (except Vilas County boundary waters, where motor trolling allowed with only 1 line per angler and 2 lines maximum per boat).
All Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters;

Mississippi River

Great Lakes (Outlying Waters) - 3 hooks, baits or lures per angler
Lake Michigan
Lake Superior

Please consult the current hook and line regulations for the complete list of regulations that apply to these waters.


Frequently asked trolling questions

I routinely fish a lake that crosses county boundaries (One county has a maximum of 2 lines per boat and the other county has a maximum of three lines per person). How is that situation regulated?

Because these are county-by-county rules at this point, they will be enforced by the county line. Rather than having to list exceptions for every water that crosses a county line, the rules follow the county lines. In this particular case, a maximum of 2 lines per boat anywhere on the lake will keep you clearly within the law, but you could use 3 lines/angler where you cross the county line into the less restrictive portion of lake. When the rules between counties differ, you should follow the rules of the county in which you are fishing.

Does this rule override ordinances prohibiting the use of motor boats?

This change does not affect boating regulations, so anglers must still comply with any motor restrictions applicable on the lakes. As before, a person holding a valid disabled permit that authorizes trolling (trolling, Class A, Class B with trolling) would be authorized to use an electric motor on lakes with ordinances enacted that prohibit the use of motor boats on navigable waters.


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