29.237 Sturgeon spearing license.

(1b) In this section, “Lake Winnebago and upper Fox and Wolf rivers system" means Buttes des Morts Lake, Winneconne Lake, Poygan Lake, Winnebago Lake, and all of the following:

(a) Each stream that flows into any of these lakes, from the mouth of the stream upstream to the first dam on the stream.

(b) The Fox River from the point that it flows into Lake Winnebago upstream to the dam above the city of Princeton.

(c) Each tributary of the Fox River from the point that it flows into the Fox River upstream to the first dam on the tributary.

(d) The Wolf River from its mouth upstream to the dam in the city of Shawano.

(e) Each tributary of the Wolf River from the point that it flows into the Wolf River to the first dam on the tributary.

(1m) Subject to s. 29.024 and any limit imposed under s. 29.192 (3), a sturgeon spearing license shall be issued by the department to any person applying for this license who is at least 12 years old.

(2) Each sturgeon spearing license issued under this section shall be accompanied by sturgeon carcass tags in the quantity to correspond with the season bag limit for spearing lake sturgeon established by the department. Each carcass tag shall contain a unique number that is assigned to the sturgeon spearing license being issued.

(3) A sturgeon spearing license authorizes the spearing of lake sturgeon subject to any limit imposed under s. 29.192 (3) and only during the open season for spearing these sturgeon established by the department. No person may fish for sturgeon by means of a spear unless the person is issued a sturgeon spearing license. Proof of the sturgeon spearing license shall be carried on the person of the licensee at all times while fishing for sturgeon by means of a spear.

(4) Any person having taken a lake sturgeon by means of a spear shall immediately validate the sturgeon carcass tag issued to that person. No person may possess, control, store, or transport a lake sturgeon carcass unless a sturgeon carcass tag has been validated in the manner required by the department.

(5) The department shall deposit receipts from the sale of sturgeon spearing licenses under this subsection into the conservation fund and shall credit these receipts to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (1) (kw) for assessing and managing the lake sturgeon stock and fishery in the Lake Winnebago system, for improving and maintaining lake sturgeon habitat in the Lake Winnebago and upper Fox and Wolf rivers system, and for administering this section.

History: 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 269; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 345 to 351; Stats. 1997 s. 29.237; 1999 a. 32; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 274; 2011 a. 168; 2013 a. 64; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 59.