Contact Tom Klieman, 920-366- 0752
The Wisconsin Lakeshore Business Association (WLBA) is happy to
express its appreciation to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board for their
approval of the emergency rule regarding bag limits and season length on lake
trout for Lake Michigan. This was a result of 3 public hearings in which anglers
overwhelmingly supported increasing lake trout daily bag limits from 2 to 5 fish.
“Most of our business members, along with charter boat captains, have long held
that lake trout are a near recovered species,’’ said Tom Klieman President of the
WLBA. “These guys are on the lake over 120 days a year and with modern
technology can attest to the large numbers of lake trout,” Klieman added.
Restoration of lake trout began over 30 years ago with control measures put in
place to address the growing number of sea lamprey.
“The rehabilitation of lake trout is a huge success story,” said Jason Woda, WLBA
board member. “It’s time to reap the benefits and provide expanded opportunity
for fisherman with a 5 fish limit and open season year round.
The Department of Natural Resources is committed to continued restoration of
the lake trout and to promote a more diverse salmon and other trout species
fishery.
“By harvesting more Lake trout, the predation on alewives will become more
balanced and allow more fishing opportunities for other species, including salmon
and trout,” said Dan Welsch owner of Dumper Dan’s charter service in
Sheboygan. ”My customers are excited to come from other states to have more
opportunity to put some fish on the grill,” he noted.
Wisconsin Lakeshore Business Assoc. would like to thank Secretary Stepp along
with Deputy Secretary Theide and Todd Kalish for listening to the fisherman at the
numerous public hearings. We are hearing from Sportsmen up and down the
coast, who are excited about a more diverse and sustainable lake Michigan
fishery.
