State of Wisconsin DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Tony Evers, Governor 101 S. Webster Street Preston D. Cole, Secretary Box 7921 Telephone 608-266-2621 Madison WI 53707-7921 Toll Free 1-888-936-7463 TTY Access via relay - 711

NOTICE OF PROPOSED FISHING REGULATION CHANGE ON LAKE MENDOTA IN DANE COUNTY

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to change fishing regulations for largemouth and smallmouth bass in Lake Mendota in Dane County.

Changes in the regulations are being proposed because the special regulation is no longer needed to provide for optimum use and management of the fishery resource. This proposal changes the current 18 inch minimum, 1 daily bag limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass to the statewide base regulation of 14 inch minimum, 5 daily bag limit.

Under s. NR 20.35(3), Wisconsin Administrative Code, removal of special regulations is warranted under these conditions.

The proposed regulations would take effect on or about January 1, 2020.

Recent fishery survey data from 2019 indicate Lake Mendota largemouth bass and smallmouth bass showed a fishery with quality size structure, moderate density, stable population, elevated growth, regular recruitment, and excellent body condition. A recent survey of area anglers showed that anglers are unlikely to harvest bass and restrictive regulations are not needed to maintain the quality of the fishery. Therefore, the special regulation for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass (18” minimum, 1 daily bag limit) is not needed for management the fishery at this time.

The management goal for Lake Mendota largemouth and smallmouth bass fishery is to provide angling opportunities for quality to preferred size classes (12-15” LMB, 11-14” SMB) with harvest opportunities congruent with statewide standard bass regulations 14” minimum, 5 daily bag limit).

A public meeting to hear public comments and provide information about the proposal will be held if requested in writing within 10 days of the publication of this notice. Public meeting requests and comments on this proposal should be sent to:

Dan Oele 3911 Fish Hatchery Road Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711 by November 10, 2020