Six private and three tribal hatcheries get grants to increase walleye production capacity

MADISON - Six private and three tribal fish hatcheries will get a total of $2 million in one-time grants for projects that will increase their capacity to produce larger walleye for stocking in Wisconsin by 470,000 fish per year, state fisheries officials say.

The hatcheries are receiving the grants from the Department of Natural Resources as part of a competitive grant process funded through the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative.

"This is a big victory for everybody who loves walleye," says DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "These grants invest in shovel-ready projects that will expand the capacity of private and tribal hatcheries to produce larger walleye for stocking in Wisconsin's waters well into the future."

Grant recipients are required to stock walleye produced in their new facilities into Wisconsin waters, and DNR has received $500,000 through the initiative to buy 1 million of these larger fish. Almost 200,000 of these should be available for stocking this fall from grant recipients whose projects will be completed this year, with the rest coming as projects are completed through 2018.

The grant awards are an important part of Wisconsin's plan to boost walleye fishing by stocking more of the larger walleye in lakes where natural reproduction isn't sufficient. The plan, known as the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, is a $12 million funding package developed by Gov. Scott Walker and DNR to boost walleye stocking statewide of the larger fish known as "extended growth" walleye.

Such fish, which are 6 to 8 inches long, have been shown to survive at significantly higher rates in some settings than the 1.5 to 2-inch fish typically stocked. DNR's stocking strategy is to stock these larger walleye in some walleye waters with the hope of restoring naturally reproducing populations, and in others to increase walleye numbers in lakes that will continue to rely on stocking to provide fishing opportunities.

The initiative was funded by the Legislature for two years and provides increased operating funds to DNR grow the larger, more expensive fish; allows for $8 million in upgrades at state hatcheries; invests in expanding capacity at private and tribal hatcheries; and provides money for DNR to purchase larger walleye for stocking from private and tribal hatcheries.

Already, the extra funding the initiative provided in 2013 enabled state hatcheries to produce more than four times the typical number of larger walleye for stocking in fall 2013.

The competitive grant program for private and tribal hatcheries required applicants to submit proposals including the number of fish they will produce and the price, and to commit to stocking those within Wisconsin for at least three years.

Grant recipients are required to stock walleye produced in their new facilities into Wisconsin waters, and DNR has received $500,000 through the initiative to buy 1 million of these larger fish. Almost 200,000 of these should be available for stocking this fall from grant recipients whose projects will be completed this year, with the rest coming as projects are completed through 2018.

The 13 applications DNR received for the hatchery capacity grants were reviewed by a technical review panel that included DNR staff with expertise in walleye and cool-water species hatchery production and management, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fisheries expert and a University of Wisconsin - Extension fisheries expert.

Applicants were ranked based on criteria including their experience in raising walleye or other cool-water fish, cost effectiveness, and having a shovel-ready project that would significantly increase their production of walleye.

The hatcheries receiving the grants and the grant amounts are:

• Gollon Bait and Fish Farm, Dodgeville, $423,535
• Northside Enterprises, Black Creek, $136,344
• Coolwater Farms, LLC, Deerfield, $76,600
• Sokaogon Chippewa Community, $298,900
• Hayward Bait and Bottle Shoppe, Hayward, $125,000
• Central Wisconsin Fish Farm, LLC, Stevens Point, $29,841
• St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, $283,255
• Taal Lake Hatchery, New London, $194,371
• Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, $432,154

Marathon County septage hauler fined for multiple violations

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - A Marathon County septic tank pumping and disposal firm has been fined more than $2,600 for multiple violations of state laws in place to protect human health and safety, to protect groundwater and surface water, and to minimize nuisance conditions.

RTC Transit doing business as Rural Septic Service was found guilty in Marathon County Circuit on one violation and in Wood County Circuit Court of two violations resulting from citations from the Department of Natural Resources for failing to obey disposal and pathogen control requirements.

The company was ordered to pay a total of $867.50 in penalties for the Marathon County citation and $1,735 in penalties for the Wood County citations.

"Septage spreading is environmentally beneficial when done properly," said Jeanne Calhoun, a DNR wastewater specialist and the septage coordinator. "We save energy and reduce pollution when nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can be reused. But when regulations are ignored there is a potential for harm."

Septage is defined as the contents from septic or holding tanks, privies, grease interceptors and portable restrooms. The DNR regulates licensed septage businesses to protect human health and safety, to protect groundwater and surface water, and to minimize nuisance conditions. Operators must pass exams and pursue continuing education credits in order to be certified.

While some haulers dispose of septage at wastewater treatment plants, many use land spreading, in some cases because a treatment facility is not available but also to use the nutrients to fertilize crops. Haulers are required to follow specific application guidelines, based in part on crop harvesting cycles, and to use one of three approved processing or treatment methods to render the material safe. Records for each batch must be kept for five years. Land spreading sites must be left free of litter.

In the Marathon County civil case, Rural Septic Service spread two loads of holding tank waste on a snow covered, frozen field, which is not allowed under state rules. The field in question was only approved for use when vegetation was present. By spreading on a snow covered, frozen field, the potential for harmful run off increases.

In the Wood County case, Rural Septic Service spread septage waste on an unapproved field and failed to use lime to raise the pH as a method of pathogen control.

The civil cases were successfully prosecuted by Marathon County District Attorney Sandra Marcus and by Wood County District Attorney Kelly Lehn.

The DNR resolves violations through a "stepped enforcement" process employing the lowest level appropriate for the circumstances. Enforcement letters and conferences achieve voluntary compliance for most minor violations. More significant or repetitive violations may result in the issuance of civil citations or in prosecution by the state Department of Justice. In many cases, such as this one, multiple tools such as these are used to achieve compliance.

"Citations were not the first step in this case," Calhoun said, "the DNR is willing to work with operators who ask for help, and if the violations are not too serious, penalties can be avoided."

Additional violations could lead to revocation of the business license, revocation of operator certification or both.

In addition to investigating citizen complaints, specially trained DNR teams are now conducting county-wide audits of septage haulers. Inspecting multiple companies within a similar timeframe makes the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars, provides a more consistent approach to regulation and helps improve voluntary compliance through education.

In addition to health and safety issues, and concerns about pollution, the DNR recognizes the value of fair competition in the market place. Businesses that operate out of compliance can achieve a competitive advantage over businesses that follow the rules. An increased presence by the DNR, and the use of multiple tools to achieve compliance, helps level the playing field, allowing well run businesses and their employees to stay on the job.

DNR study looks to future of Princeton Dam

GREEN BAY - The future design of the state-owned dam on the Fox River at Princeton will be the subject of a public meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Princeton High School.

The low-head dam -located three river miles upstream of the Village of Princeton in Green Lake County - impounds water that affects the level of Lake Puckaway, a large shallow lake on the Fox River.

The dam is operated by the Lake Puckaway Protection and Rehabilitation District under a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Natural Resources. The agreement authorizes the LPPRD to seasonally modify water levels by placing or removing flashboards above the fixed spillway.

In October 2012 a contractor hired by LPPRD fell off the dam during flashboard removals. It was a "near miss" with no injuries. As a result of the incident report, the DNR conducted a risk assessment in April 2013, finding that operation of the dam in its present state is not safe.

The DNR and LPPRD developed a new set of operating procedures and liability insurance requirements allowing the LPPRD to operate the dam on an interim basis until it can be modified for safe operation.

The DNR has committed to a dam evaluation study and a firm, MWH, will begin work on the study later this month. This public meeting will outline study objectives and give interested individuals the opportunity to gain more insight into the study and ask questions of DNR and MWH staff. The meeting format will be a brief presentation shortly after 6 p.m. followed by an open house to facilitate one on one conversations with DNR staff.

Princeton High School is located off S. Fulton Street, or State 73, on the village's southeast side.

The study will:

� Assess the condition of the existing spillway, earthen portions and gated lock channel.

� Estimate the cost for two extreme cases: complete dam reconstruction or dam removal.

� Estimate costs for three spillway modifications to meet DNR objectives of effective water level management and the safety of the public and dam operators.

� The alternatives include a raised, fixed-crest spillway, the installation of an inflatable bladder; or replacement of the flashboard system with added physical restraints for operator safety.

� All three alternatives will include modification the downstream river channel to minimize the roller effect (a drowning hazard) created by the force of water flowing over the dam.

� All three of the spillway alternatives will include estimates for either a channel fish passage or a bypass fish ladder.

� A cost estimate for an electric fish barrier to prevent the passage of carp will be will be an option that may be added to any selected alternative.

Individuals with questions about the meeting or the study can contact Aaron Buchholz, DNR district land program manager, at 920-662-5115 or at aaron.buchholz@wisconsin.gov.

Application period for 2015 fishing tournament permits now open and changes on the horizon

MADISON - Organizers of fishing tournaments planning events for 2015 can apply for their permits as of April 1, 2014. New this year, the applications will be reviewed as they come in and awarded on a first-come, first served basis, state fisheries officials say.

"We are awarding permits on a first-come, first-served basis to improve the process for organizers and DNR biologists," says Jon Hansen, the Department of Natural Resources fish biologist who works on tournament issues. "So get your applications in for both 2014 and 2015 as soon as you can to ensure your spot!"

There is a cap on the maximum amount of tournament fishing pressure allowed on some waters. In past years, DNR would run an open application period from April 1 through June 30 to see if there were more applications received than spots available for the same waters. If there were, DNR would conduct a lottery to decide which tournaments got the needed permits on a specific water.

There has never been a situation in which DNR needed to hold a lottery, so removing the application open period deadline is one of a few changes going into effect this summer to the rule regulating fishing tournaments, Hansen says.

Over the last two years, a group of tournament stakeholders and DNR staff identified potential changes to the 2009 fishing tournament rules to simplify the rule and increase its effectiveness while still addressing public concerns about crowding, tournament associated fish mortality, and the spread of invasive species.

Changes include clarifications and more specifics on how fish need to be handled as well as when certain conditions the DNR uses to reduce fish mortality will be used.

Applications for 2014 events still being accepted

Tournaments still being planned for 2014 can be applied for right now and applications will be reviewed as long as it is received at least 30 days in advance and room is available, Hansen says. These applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the caps have been reached.

Tournament organizers will need a permit if any of the following apply. The tournament:

• involves 20 or more boats, or 100 or more participants;
• targets any trout species on waters classified as trout streams;
• is a catch-hold-release tournament with an off-site weigh-in;
• will have fewer than 20 boats but participants will cull bass; or
• has a total prize value of $10,000 or greater.

Starting in 2015, traditional tournaments (events that were held 4 out of the 5 years between 2004 and 2008) may apply starting Jan. 1, 2015, and non-traditional tournaments may apply April 1, 2015.

Sauk Prairie Recreation Area open to public April 12 - May 27

FITCHBURG, Wis. -- Portions of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area will be open to the public from April 12 through May 27 for outdoor activities, including spring turkey hunting.

The public may access the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area at two places. The primary entrance is the main gate on U.S. Highway 12, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week.

An after-hour's entrance to the property is on state Highway78 (Gate 7, just north of Kilpatrick Drive) and will be open one hour before the opening of turkey hunting hours through one hour after they end each day during the Spring Turkey Hunting season.

A map of the open areas and open roads [PDF] is available by searching the Department of Natural Resources website dnr.wi.gov for keywords "Sauk Prairie Recreation Area" and at both entry points.

In addition to turkey hunting visitors can trap, hike, bird watch, pick mushrooms and berries, bike open roads, study nature and take photographs. There will not be any fishing opportunities and horseback riding will not be allowed during this time period.

The U.S. Army is also opening many of the lands it still owns at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant to public use during this time.

"We know the public is anxious to get access to the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area and, with the weather finally warming up, this time period seemed like a good fit to open the property before more clean-up work starts later this summer," said Dan Schuller, director of the Wisconsin State Parks.

"The opening of the SPRA and adjacent Army-owned lands was made possible by working in conjunction with our partners at the Dairy Forage Research Center and the Army," said Schuller. "They have allowed access through their lands, so we ask that visitors please respect their operations and refrain from entering areas and roads that are closed. Future access through and to these lands may hinge upon the public's adherence to these rules."

Some areas within the property remain closed to public access due to safety issues. In addition, all remaining buildings and areas around them are closed areas and may not be entered. No bathroom facilities or drinking water are available on the Department of Natural Resource lands.

The old pump house facility and the associated parcel on Lake Wisconsin remain closed due to safety issues. Hunters are reminded that they need a Zone 1 turkey permit for the period they hunt, turkey license and a turkey stamp.

Following the end of the final turkey season, the property will close May 28 to accommodate contractors who will be consolidating rubble piles throughout the property. The rubble will be crushed and used as base material in the planned reconstruction of USH 12 starting in 2015. In addition, DNR staff will be conducting additional clean-up and deconstruction work throughout the summer and fall.

"Visitors are reminded to be safe while they are enjoying the property," noted John Buss, Sauk County conservation warden. "There are likely to be many hunters and non-hunters out there during this period, especially on the weekends. We want all outdoor users to be careful, safe and to have an enjoyable experience."

Master planning update

Based on the extensive public input received his past summer, department staff are developing recommendations for recreational use and habitat management of the property. Although significant progress has been made, the department now anticipates completing the draft master plan in the fall of 2014.

"Developing a recreation use plan for the property is very complex due to the nature of the property, the importance of managing habitats, and the wide range of activities and experiences that the public has requested," stated Schuller.

When the draft master plan is released, the public will have 45 days to review and comment. In addition, the department will host a public hearing to formally record comments. The public will also have another opportunity to comment directly to the Natural Resources Board when the board takes up consideration of the draft plan after the public review and comment period.

Young anglers can receive free instruction at 30th Annual Kids' Fishing Clinics

MILWAUKEE - Kids 15 years and younger can mark the arrival of spring by attending free fishing clinics on Saturday, April 12, at several lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties. Clinics will be held every hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last clinic starting at 2 p.m.

"These clinics give kids a chance to learn about fishing, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to find out what fishing is all about," said Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist. "And it's just a great opportunity for kids to get outside away from the electronics, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer."

Members of local fishing clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules and fish identification. In spite of the unseasonably cold spring weather, the fishing instruction portion of the clinics will take place even if there is still ice cover.

"For 30 years, sport fishing groups have been the heart and muscle of this program," Coffaro noted. "They do an outstanding job of teaching kids the basics of fishing and that fishing is fun. None of this works without the dedication of the volunteers."

The Department of Natural Resources and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery will stock fish in the urban waters before the kids' clinics are held. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible.

Adult anglers are reminded that from March 8 through April 25, urban fishing waters are restricted to fishing by juveniles 15- years-old and younger and certain disabled anglers. Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are continuously and cooperatively managed with a municipality. The 2014 - 2015 fishing regulations list urban waters with these special regulations. The rule is designed to give young anglers and anglers with disabilities an opportunity to fish close to home before competition from adults limits their chances to catch fish.

Locations for the April 12 kids' fishing clinics are:

Milwaukee County

Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (Hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club)

Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124 St. (Hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen; Milwaukee Casting Club)

Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave. (Hosted by Lunkers Unlimited)

McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Southside Sportsmen's Club)

McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51 Blvd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Badger Fisherman's League)

Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St. (Hosted by Bay View Rod & Gun Club)

Oak Creek Parkway, Oak Creek Pkwy and Mill Rd. in South Milwaukee (Hosted by Friends of the Oak Creek Millpond)

Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Rd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Walleyes Unlimited, USA)

Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Dr. (Hosted by South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing & Hunting Club)

Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by E.B. Garner's Fishing Club)

Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave. (Hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club)

Racine County

Quarry Lake Park, 3800 Northwestern Ave. in Racine (Hosted by Salmon Unlimited)

Sheboygan County

Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane in Sheboygan (Hosted by Great Lakes Sports Fishermen-Sheboygan County Chapter)

Washington County

Sandy Knoll Park, 2064 Wallace Lake Rd. in West Bend (Hosted by Trout Unlimited Southeast Chapter; West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers)

Waukesha County

No park entrance fee will be charged

Parking passes will be distributed at the event

Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7844 Town Line Rd. in Menomonee Falls, one-half mile north of Good Hope Rd. (Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen)

Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd. in Brookfield (Hosted by Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club)

Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd. in Muskego (Hosted by Women's Hunting and Sporting Association)

Fish habitat and water quality improvements expected from Chippewa Flowage drawdown

EAU CLAIRE - A drawdown of the Chippewa Flowage last fall should benefit local residents, property owners and other users of the Chippewa Flowage, according to a partners group that assists in management activities of the reservoir and surrounding lands to benefit the area's ecosystem.

The goal of the project is to reduce aquatic plants like the invasive Eurasian water-milfoil, which has grown to nuisance levels in some areas of the flowage, according to Max Wolter, Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist. Wolter said biologists also expect changes in the aquatic habitat will benefit the walleye and musky fishery by improving their spawning habitat.

The late fall and early winter drawdown on the 15,300-acre reservoir, which has a current elevation of about 1,310 feet above sea level, slowly brought the water level down 8 feet. The main difference between this year's drawdown and previous years is that 5 feet was drawn down before ice-up. This is expected to minimize issues with low oxygen levels that can arise during later winter draw downs.

Wolter said the drawdown is intended to expose the bottom sediment to air as winter progresses, freezing out the roots of the Eurasian water-milfoil. During spring runoff, water levels will be restored to normal elevations. Precipitation and inflow from tributary rivers and streams will determine how quickly this happens. The reservoir is full at 1,313 feet.

"Drawdowns are frequently used to manage fish populations across the United States," Wolter said. "Significant drawdowns were a big part of the history of the Chippewa Flowage up until the mid-1990s, and during that period of time walleye recruitment was high. The current plan is conservative enough to allow access for fall and winter fishing, yet still have a beneficial impact on the select resources."

Throughout the 2013-2014 project, the group has been monitoring key areas for winter dissolved oxygen levels.

As the group expected -- based on the extended and harsh winter -- they have observed low dissolved oxygen levels in a few isolated areas, specifically Crane Lake and Blueberry Flats. These areas represent less than 3 percent of the flowage's acreage.

"While we won't know for sure about fish kills until after the ice melts, so far the main lake area look good, or even better than expected," Wolter said. After ice-out biologists will monitor the response of the aquatic plant and fish populations.

The Chippewa Flowage Partners Group -- which comprised of Xcel Energy, Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association, Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Association, Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin Conservation Congress (Sawyer County) -- has been in existence since 2006 to assist in management activities of the reservoir and surrounding lands to benefit the whole ecosystem of the Chippewa Flowage.