NRB approves emergency rule for Minocqua Chain

The state Natural Resources Board took quick action Thursday morning, approving an emergency rule to allow state licensed hook and line fishing on the Minocqua Chain.

The board’s action means the popular chain of lakes will be open to anglers one year earlier than expected..

There was an agreement in place between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Headwaters Chapter of Walleyes for Tomorrow, the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), local lake organizations and other entities that there would be no walleye take allowed on the Minocqua Chain throughout the course of a 10-year study focused on populational rehabilitation.

Last year, the Lac du Flambeau Tribe declared the lake, but did not harvest any fish. This year, the Tribe declared and harvested fish from Lake Tomahawk, Lake Minocqua and Lake Kawaguesaga.

In anticipation of that, DNR policy initiatives director Scott Loomans brought the matter before the NRB last month to ensure quick action could be taken if the tribes went through with their harvest.

Kurt Justice, spokesperson for the Headwaters Chapter of Walleyes for Tomorrow, spoke to the NRB about the study and the partnership that was formed in an attempt to rectify the issues with walleye recruitment on the chain.

“We felt very strongly about this,” he said. “We worked very hard. Obviously, as Scott said, we did not achieve our goal of natural rehabilitation yet, which we realize is very important. But we also realize the pressure on the system now that the tribe has declared and speared the lake that we’re going to see a big push from the public to open up the fishery. So our stance is, at this point, that we are in favor of pushing the walleye opener on the chain and we agree with the regulations that the DNR proposed.” 

Justice noted that the hope was that the study could be a blueprint to help fix other lakes, but they still did not have all the answers. He thanked all the partners for all of their hard work on the issue, however.

After hearing his testimony and asking a few questions, the board unanimously approved the emergency rule.

After Gov. Evers signs off, the chain will open to harvest with the regulation being a one fish bag limit with a minimum length of 18 inches and a protected slot between 22 and 28 inches.  Loomans expected the regulation to be in place by late this week.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].