Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting local residents and interested parties to attend a public meeting on Aug. 27 regarding a proposed walleye spawning reef project at Franklin Lake. The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the VFW Post 8637 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

According to the DNR, the session aims to review findings from a comprehensive survey conducted in 2025 that examined changes in Franklin Lake’s fishery over the last five decades. A significant portion of the discussion will center on the walleye population, which officials say has declined substantially during this period.

“Public input will be sought on a proposed walleye spawning reef that would be constructed along U.S. Forest Service property to help rehabilitate the walleye population,” states information released by the DNR.

Greg Matzke, a fisheries biologist with the department, will present survey results and lead discussions about strategies for supporting fish populations in Franklin Lake. The DNR notes that while walleyes were once abundant in these waters, their numbers have dropped below what is considered “fishable” for more than two decades.

In addition to reviewing historical data and recent survey outcomes, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback about plans for building a new spawning reef along land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The goal of this initiative is to improve conditions for natural reproduction of walleyes and support long-term recovery efforts.

More details about this event are available through the DNR’s Meetings and Hearings calendar: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/calendar/hearings.

The DNR says community engagement is important as it shapes management decisions related to area fisheries. The agency encourages anglers, lake users, conservation groups, and others with an interest in Franklin Lake’s ecological health to participate in this upcoming meeting.

The public meeting underscores ongoing concerns over declining fish populations across some Wisconsin lakes—a trend documented by state surveys over multiple years—and highlights efforts being made by agencies like the DNR in partnership with federal entities such as the U.S. Forest Service.