Wisconsin's Walleye Management Plan - the Update
Fishing Wisconsin
Updating Wisconsin's walleye management plan
Walleye are one of the most popular species targeted by Wisconsin anglers. Each year, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocks hundreds of thousands of walleye fingerlings into lakes across the state, surveys walleye populations and walleye anglers, and works on habitat projects to benefit walleye. All walleye management activities are guided by Wisconsin’s Walleye Management Plan, which was created in 1998. We are in the process of updating Wisconsin’s Walleye Management Plan to better meet new challenges to walleye management. Here’s what you need to know and how you can be involved
Current walleye management plan
The current walleye management plan for Wisconsin was completed in 1998. The plan focuses on key areas such as stocking, fishing and harvest opportunities, habitat, and more. The plan was completed after significant input from the public.
Current walleye management plan [PDF]
Review of the 1998 walleye management plan, May 2020 [PDF]
Providing input on the revised plan
The DNR’s Walleye Management Team is coordinating the update of the walleye management plan. There are several ways we are seeking input from the public.
- Random mail/online survey – These will be sent out to random resident and non-resident fishing license holders. If you get one, please fill it out and return it!
- Public input form – Do you have something you want to share with the planning team about your own walleye fishing experiences? Got a great idea that should be considered for the plan? Or maybe you just want to let us know how you think walleye fishing has been lately. Take a few minutes to fill out our input form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QDRQ7Q9
- Are you someone who really cares about walleye management? Maybe you have a resort, baitshop or guide business that focuses on walleye fishing. We will be hosting virtual focus group meetings with stakeholders for different areas around the state. If you are interested in joining one of these meetings contact max.wolter@wisconsin.gov
Proposed dates and counties affected for the virtual online meetings that will be held statewide to discuss the walleye management plan update.
| Proposed dates | Counties affected |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2020 | Iron, Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas |
| October 20, 2020 | Sawyer, Rusk, Washburn, Burnett, Polk, Barron |
| October 27, 2020 | St. Croix, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Chippewa, Clark |
| November 10, 2020 | Pepin, Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson, Lacrosse, Monroe, Vernon |
| November 17, 2020 | Crawford, Richland, Sauk, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette |
| December 8, 2020 | Wood, Portage, Waupaca, Adams, Juneau, Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake |
| December 15, 2020 | Taylor, Lincoln, Marathon, Langlade, Menomonie, Shawano |
| January 12, 2021 | Price, Vilas, Oneida |
| January 19, 2021 | Forest, Florence, Marinette, Oconto |
| January 26, 2021 | Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac |
| February 2, 2021 | Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan |
| February 16, 2021 | Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine, Kenosha |
| February 23, 2021 | Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Green |
Plan update timeline
Here are the steps we plan to take to complete the update of this plan, when we expect each step to happen, and how you can be involved:
October 2020 through March 2021 – Collect public input and host stakeholder meetings (see other tab)
March through June 2021 – Summarize public input, create first draft of updated management plan
July or August 2021 – Get public comments on draft of updated management plan