2020-2021 Turtle-Flambeau Flowage & Trude Lake Fishing Regulations* CHIPPEWA INDIAN HARVEST The Fishery of the FISH SPECIES OPEN DAILY LENGTH SEASON LIMIT** RESTRICTIONS A 1983 federal court decision reaffirmed Turtle- the rights of Chippewa Indians to hunt, fish WALLEYE May 2 - March 7 3 12” minimum length, and gather wild foods within the ceded only 1 > 15” territory of northern Wisconsin. The Flambeau Flowage has supported a walleye spear MUSKELLUNGE May 23 – Dec. 31 1 40” minimum length fishing harvest since 1984. Safe harvest (open water only) levels are determined annually so that the Flowage: combined harvest of anglers and spear NORTHERN PIKE May 2 - March 7 5 None fishers does not endanger the future of the ➢ Fish Population Status walleye population.

LARGEMOUTH BASS May 2 - March 7 5 Only fish < 14”, except 1 > 18” INFORMATION LARGEMOUTH BASS All other dates 0 (Catch and Release Only) For more information about the fishery and fishing regulations on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage please contact: SMALLMOUTH BASS May 2 - June 19 0 (Catch and Release Only) Mercer Ranger Station SMALLMOUTH BASS June 20 - March 7 5 Only fish < 14”, Department of Natural Resources except 1 > 18” 5291N Statehouse Circle Mercer, WI 54547 (715)-476-7857 PANFISH http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/turtleflambeau/ (Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Crappie, Perch) Open All Year 10 in total 10" for Crappie

*No size limit for bluegill, perch, pumpkinseed The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, ROCK BASS Open All Year None None programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, BULLHEADS AND ROUGH FISH Open All Year None None please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. LAKE STURGEON No Open Season 0 20240. This publication is available in Braille, audio *This is an abbreviated summary of seasons, size and bag limits. For complete fishing regulations cassette, large print or computer format upon Turtle-Flambeau Flowage please refer to the official Fishing Regulations Booklet. request. To order, call 608266-8204. & Trude Lake **No person may be in possession of, or have under their control, more than the daily bag PUBL-LF-020 limit for the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage while fishing on the Flowage. Fishing Regulations

2020

The Fishery of the Turtle- The Turtle-Flambeau fishery. Big bluegills, slab crappies, and jumbo bass fishery. During a 2019 late-spring perch provide a wonderful harvest opportunity electrofishing survey, 83% of the smallmouth Flambeau Flowage Flowage: for anglers. bass captured were > 11” and 48% were > 14”. Strong recruitment in recent years has led Fish Population Status During a 2019 summer panfish netting survey, The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is one of to good numbers of sub-14” fish in the 79% of bluegills collected were ≥ 6 inches in northern Wisconsin’s gems, providing folks a Walleye population, providing a good action fishery length, and 12% were ≥ 8 inches in length. wilderness experience with exceptional and a quality harvest opportunity. The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage contains a self- The population currently has good numbers of angling opportunities. The TFF fish sustaining walleye population, where no these quality sized fish. In fact, a new regulation implemented in 2016 community is highly diverse and has stocking is needed to assist the population focuses harvest on these sub-14” individuals something to offer every angler. Although and/or fishery. Recent survey work suggests (see front page), aiming to reduce densities, perhaps most famous for a naturally that while the walleye population is biologically thereby improving growth rates of adult fish. reproducing and self-sustaining walleye healthy, the TFF could be a more productive With this regulation, we hope to make the fishery, the Flowage is also home to a world- fishery. A 2016 comprehensive survey currently outstanding bass fishery even better class smallmouth bass fishery. This fishery estimated the adult walleye population at 2.8 by balancing numbers with trophy potential. provides good numbers of exceptional sized fish/acre. This density is lower than historic panfish (bluegill, black crappie, and yellow levels documented on the Flowage (around 4 perch). The TFF muskellunge fishery has a fish/acre), and below management goals (4-8 history of producing world-class specimens adults/acre). Adult size structure is also below and although found in relatively low densities, management goals, where only 24% of adults most are quality size. There are definitely sampled in 2016 were > 15”, but management some true trophies swimming in these waters. goals set a 30-50% objective. Harvest All of these fishing opportunities are available pressure has been identified as one of the to anglers while also providing an unparalleled During a recent late-spring netting survey, major drivers of these population changes, 78% of the black crappies sampled were ≥ 8 wilderness experience. and therefore, we implemented a new walleye inches in length, and 43% were ≥ 10 inches in size limit starting in 2020: 12” minimum Although well-respected for its fishery, the length. Not only do these crappies stretch the length, but only 1 > 15”; 3 fish/day bag TFF is also well-known as a “scenic waters tape, but they are also thick across the back! limit. This regulation is designed to reduce area,” which identifies the wild character (e.g. harvest pressures on all juveniles and adult undeveloped shorelines and abundance of females. The regulation should help improve Musky wildlife) it has to offer. Therefore, the value of both numbers and the size of walleyes the flowage not only lies with its exceptional Some large muskies swim in Flowage waters. available. year-round fishery, but also with its natural Although these fish exist at relatively low beauty, keeping anglers and outdoor It’s not all doom and gloom for the walleye densities, the trophy potential makes these enthusiasts returning year after year. So, fishery, however. Recent fall surveys have creatures worth pursuing on the TFF. During whether you are pursuing one of Wisconsin’s shown that from 2016-2019, the TFF has 2017, we completed a musky netting survey most desirable gamefish, looking for an produced very strong natural year classes. on the TFF and were able to estimate the outdoor adventure, or just interested in Most of these fish are currently about of 7 - density of adults to be 1,359 individuals or enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, the 12”. While a bulk of the population is currently 0.1/acre. This population exhibits strong Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a destination that comprised of these juvenile fish, the TFF survival of stocked fingerlings, consistent you will not be disappointed in! remains a stellar walleye fishery. natural reproduction in recent years, and a Smallmouth Bass well-balanced age and size distribution with Panfish plenty of old fish that provide some serious The TFF boasts an outstanding smallmouth The TFF supports a second-to-none pan- trophy potential.