29.407 Transportation of fish.

(1) From inland waters.

(a) No person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game fish taken from inland waters unless the person complies with all applicable requirements under pars. (b) and (c).

(b) All fish that are subject to a minimum size limit and are taken by hook and line may be transported with the head or tail, or both, removed and may be filleted before being transported, but only if the dressed or filleted fish continues to meet the minimum size limit. A dressed fish shall remain in one piece with the skin and scales intact. The skin and scales shall remain on a filleted fish.

(c) A box, package or container of fish transported by common carrier shall contain fish of only one owner.

(2) From outlying waters.

(a) No person may transport or cause to be transported, or deliver or receive or offer to deliver or receive for transportation, any game fish taken from outlying waters unless the person complies with all applicable requirements under pars. (b) and (d).

(b)

1. In this paragraph, “ fresh fish" means any fish that has not been frozen or smoked.

2. No fresh fish of any variety except lawfully taken suckers may be shipped from any port located on outlying waters during the closed season for the fish, except the first 3 days of the closed season.

(d) All fish which are subject to a minimum size limit and are taken by hook and line may be transported with the head or tail, or both, removed and may be filleted before being transported, but only if the dressed or filleted fish continues to meet the minimum size limit. A dressed fish shall remain in one piece with the skin and scales intact. The skin and scales shall remain on a filleted fish.

(3) Shipments from inland points. Any shipment of game fish of any variety originating at any point in this state other than ports located on outlying waters is subject to this section governing the transportation of game fish taken from inland waters.

(4) Injurious fish. No live rough fish except goldfish, dace and suckers may be transported into or within the state without a permit from the department, except any person authorized by a state contract to remove rough fish pursuant to s. 29.421 may transport rough fish taken by the person under the authority of the contract.

(5) Exemptions.

(a) This section does not apply to a person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who is transporting fish in connection with the person's business.

(b) This section does not apply to the transportation, delivery, receipt or shipping of farm-raised fish or fish produced in a municipal fish hatchery.

History: 1971 c. 266; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 49; 1989 a. 56; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 524 to 537; Stats. 1997 s. 29.407; 2005 a. 288; 2013 a. 20.