You’ll have the chance to learn about regulation changes and to let your voice be heard when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hosts a virtual public meeting on new regulations to Wisconsin’s whitefish commercial industry on August 31st. That is when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is hosting a virtual public meeting hoping to hear from anyone interested in the area’s whitefish industry and reflect on regulation changes. 

One adjustment that came in an emergency ruling earlier this year is the increased quota for commercial fishing zone 1, or lower Green Bay. The allocated quota for zone 1 commercial fishing increased by 200,000 lbs. The quota now goes from about 360,000lbs to approximately 560,000 lbs. A leader behind the change is Henriksen Fisheries owner and the Lake Michigan Commercial Fishing Board, Charlie Henriksen. With whitefish numbers in lower Green Bay having increased mightily in the last decade, he and others believe that the increased harvest won’t negatively impact the population. Henriksen says this will also enhance an ongoing study on whitefish harvesting and positively impact other industries. 

Henriksen adds that the study that has helped make this ruling possible is far from over. You can find more information on commercial whitefish regulations as well as more information on the August 31st virtual meeting at this link.