Each spring, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Fish and Game Hearings are held in all counties of the state. This year the hearings are being held on April 9, 2018, at 7 PM.  Please take part!

In Dane County the hearings are being held at, Monona Grove High School, Auditorium, 4400 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716.  Locations for hearings in other counties and the questions that will be discussed can be found at: https://dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc/Documents/spring_hearing/2018/2018SpringQuestionnaire.pdf.

Of particular interest to trout fisherman is a Conservation Congress Advisory question that solicits input from anglers on increasing the length of the harvest season. The question reads as follows:  Do you support opening the Wisconsin inland trout regular harvest season statewide on the first Saturday in April with existing bag limits, size limits and gear restrictions?

If this question is of concern to you, we suggest you attend the hearings, voice your opinion, and vote on that question, along with other questions being considered.

The Board of Directors of SWTU has discussed this question and feels we should vote “No” on the question. The board has the following thoughts on the question:

• The question (#31) came from the Congress Trout Committee with the intent of providing additional opportunity and encouraging youth to fish trout. We agree those are good goals.
• However, the Department spent 5 years developing the new regulations relying on random public surveys, public meetings, meetings with the congress, etc. The rules have only been in effect for 2 years. Let’s give them a chance. They already address increased opportunity and season length for harvest and non-harvest fishing. They simplified regulations for all anglers.
• The Department is in the process of drafting a statewide trout management plan. Rather than change rules again right out of the gate, we feel the Department should continue to look for additional trout fishing opportunities and continue to encourage youth, women and other non-traditional anglers into the sport. The new trout management plan gives us the perfect opportunity to do so.

We urge you to consider the board’s thoughts, then make a decision on how you feel.  Attend the hearings, voice your opinion, and vote.