justnorth posted on September 18, 2007 14:39 :: 1561 Views
MADISON -- Over the past four years, state fisheries managers have been able to dedicate more than $10 million to maintain and enhance the salmon and trout fisheries in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and their tributaries with more than half of the funding coming from the stamps anglers purchase to fish the Great Lakes.
Anglers can find out how revenues from the salmon and trout stamps were spent between 2004 and 2007 in a new Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp Revenue Expenditures Report (PDF 287 KB) that has detailed summaries of the projects conducted, which include evaluation, research and propagation activities. The report is available on the DNR Web site.
“The Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp allows anglers to help sustain the Great Lakes sport fishery,” says Bill Horns, a DNR Great Lakes fisheries specialist. “Without it, our available funds for the propagation of Great Lakes salmon and trout would be nearly cut in half.”
Since 1982, every angler wishing to fish for salmon or trout in Wisconsin’s waters of the Great Lakes must purchase a Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp. Revenues from the sale of stamps have supported the DNR trout and salmon rearing and stocking programs for the Great Lakes.
One of the more significant projects underway with the help of stamp funds, is the continuing renovation on the century-old Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, also Wisconsin’s largest coldwater hatchery. Producing 2.2 million trout and salmon for more than 100 years took its toll on the historic fishery, putting it in need of critical restoration. In 2007, thanks to Wisconsin’s avid anglers, more than $2 million of Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp funds were used towards renovations on Wild Rose.
“The rebuilding of Wild Rose will allow us to sustain the remarkable chinook salmon fishery on Lake Michigan and to raise and stock several other species including brown trout, lake sturgeon and the Great Lakes spotted musky,” says Horns.
“Anglers can look at this report and see the difference their Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp dollars have made,” says Horns. “We could not sustain the fishery we have without this support from the angling public.”
A paper copy of the report is available by e-mailing Bill Horns at bill.horns@wisconsin.gov or calling at (608) 266-8782. More information about Lake Michigan and Lake Superior sport fisheries is available on the DNR Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Horns- (608) 266-8782
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