Wisconsin DNR Wants To Ban Gill Nets On Lake Pepin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials plan to ask their board for permission to start drafting a rule prohibiting gill nets on Lake Pepin.

According to a Wisconsin DNR memo, the Minnesota DNR notified Wisconsin authorities in July 2015 that lake sturgeon and paddlefish had come ashore in the Lake Pepin area with gill net marks and slit bellies.

Lake sturgeon is considered a species of special concern, which means scientists are concerned about their abundance. Paddlefish are a threatened species.

The proposed rule would permanently ban gill net fishing across most of the lake. The DNR says six commercial fishers actively fish the lake with gill nets.

The board is set to consider giving the DNR permission to begin writing the rule at meeting Wednesday in Richland Center.

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