Fisheries Management Strategic Plan

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR)'s Bureau of Fisheries Management is responsible for managing and sustaining Wisconsin’s fisheries resources for their diverse use. The state's fisheries resources are extensive: with over 160 fish species across 15,000 lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, 2 Great Lakes and 260 miles of the Mississippi River. But each faces unique challenges and presents its own administrative opportunity. Successful management and sustainability of these resources require strategic planning and thinking to guide decisions. 

The Bureau of Fisheries Management is drafting a strategic plan to provide direction in how it manages and sustains Wisconsin’s fisheries resources.

Managing the state's fisheries is a complex task that faces constant change, yet our core, fundamental goals are constant. It is critical that we remain focused on achieving those goals.

The goal of the strategic plan is to keep the Fisheries Management program looking forward and in the same, unified direction to benefit fisheries, their ecosystems and all the people who interact with them.

The plan includes objectives that are necessary to achieve our goals.

We Want Your Input

You will have an opportunity to provide input on the draft strategic plan. There are many outcomes of a well-executed strategic plan. In the coming survey, you'll see a subset of potential outcomes, and you will be able to share your preferences.

The public input survey will be available on this webpage on April 24, 2026.