Dept. of Natural Resources: Public hearings provide opportunity to provide feedback for proposed permanent catfish rule

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff will host public hearings to collect feedback regarding a proposed permanent rule pertaining to catfish harvest.

The proposed permanent rule follows an emergency rule, which was implemented to protect wintering catfish from overharvest, sets size and bag limits, season dates and gear restrictions to regulate catfish harvest with a bow and arrow, crossbow or by hand. This rule does not impact hook and line regulations for catfish.

Public hearings will be held at 5 p.m. at the following locations:

• Tuesday, March 19, La Crosse – State Office Building Room B-19 and B-20, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road;
• Wednesday, March 20, Oshkosh – Coughlin Center, 625 E County Road Y; and
• Wednesday, March 27, Fitchburg – Fitchburg DNR Service Center, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road.

Written comments will be accepted through March 27, 2019. See the hearing notice for contact information. For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “proposed permanent rules.”