The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced on May 1 that the walleye and musky season will proceed as normal on Wisconsin’s lakes following a federal court order.
This development is important for anglers across the state, as it ensures continued access to popular fishing locations despite recent attempts by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to limit non-tribal fishing activities. The temporary restraining order issued by the Western District of Wisconsin blocks enforcement of tribal resolutions aimed at restricting non-tribal members from fishing walleye and musky, as well as prohibiting certain angling techniques, on nineteen lakes within reservation boundaries.
The State of Wisconsin filed a complaint in federal court seeking to prevent these new rules from affecting those with valid state licenses. As a result, non-tribal anglers may continue fishing in Big Crawling Stone Lake, Big Crooked Lake, Bolton Lake, Fat Lake, Fence Lake, Flambeau Lake, Ike Walton Lake, Little Crawling Stone Lake, Little Sand Lake, Long Lake, Pokegama Lake, Poupart Lake, Signal Lake, Stearns Lake, Sugarbush Chain (Upper, Middle and Lower), White Sand Lake and Whitefish Lake without additional restrictions imposed by the tribe.
The Department emphasized its ongoing commitment to work with the Lac du Flambeau Band on conservation efforts for walleye and musky fisheries. Anglers are reminded to observe all existing regulations and bag limits statewide while showing respect toward Tribal harvesters and other recreators.
According to the official website, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supports outdoor recreation through management of parks and wildlife areas. The agency focuses on conserving natural resources for present and future generations according to its website. Its efforts extend across all regions in Wisconsin according to official information.
Public input is facilitated through advisory councils and comment periods for proposed rules as reported by the department’s website. The department enforces environmental laws statewide according to official sources while providing services such as hunting and fishing licenses along with environmental permits according to its official site.
