The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is in the process of creating a Wisconsin Inland Trout Management Plan: 2020-2029.  Currently, no inland trout management plan exists; so this new plan will support the 10-Year Strategic Plan for Fisheries Management in Wisconsin: 2015-2025.  The scope of the new plan covers inland trout waters only, excluding the Great Lakes, but including Great Lakes tributaries. Inland brook, brown, rainbow, and lake trout will be included in the management plan.

The draft “Wisconsin Inland Trout Management Plan: 2020-2029” is now complete, and the plan is available for public review and comment, as of May 17, 2019.  The following WDNR website hosts the draft plan and provides all of the pertinent information, including details on four regional public meetings:  https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/trout/inlandtroutmanagementplan.html.

With the draft Wisconsin Inland Trout Management Plan available for public review on May 17, please take some time to lend your expertise, experience, and support via your comments and attendance at the public meetings. Given Trout Unlimited’s passionate support for trout management in Wisconsin, your feedback on this plan is critical.  As a part of this feedback, please suggest how Wisconsin TU and local chapters can contribute to plan implementation, especially in a time when resources are challenging for everybody.  The public comment period is open until July 5, 2019.

Collectively, we can make this a strong plan for the future of trout management in Wisconsin.  Our cold-water fisheries need your voice for protection and restoration.

Thanks for your input and support!

Kent Johnson

Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter, Trout Unlimited

West District Stakeholder Team Representative for the WI Inland Trout Management Plan

5/17/19