Last May, the Joint Finance Committee of the Wisconsin Legislature was in the process of hammering out a multi- billion dollar two year budget. In the midst of these proceedings, Representative Dan Meyer of Eagle River moved that the legislature adopt a barbless hook catch and release season for muskies in Northern Wisconsin beginning on the first weekend of May. There was never a public hearing on this motion and few knew that it was even under consideration. The motion passed 13-3. It is now law. What did this have to do with the budget? The answer is absolutely nothing. Rather it was a transparent effort to short-circuit the normal democratic process by which fish and game laws should be enacted. Wisconsin has a long history of using the Conservation Congress to initiate and to vote on fishing regulations. The measure then goes before the WDNR Board for consideration and ultimately before the legislature for review. This process, though cumbersome, gives everyone including WDNR, an opportunity to weigh-in on the subject. Using the budget bill did not.

The law directed WDNR to promulgate regulations for the early season. This has not taken place yet and will not happen in time for the 2008 season. Therefore, there will not be an early barbless hook season in Northern Wisconsin in 2008.   On February 23rd, 2008 representatives of six of the eight Wisconsin Muskies, Inc. chapters met in conjunction with the Madison Fishing Expo. The overwhelming sentiment of those attending this meeting opposed the early season. On March 3rd, 2008 your CCMI Board of Directors unanimously went on record in opposition to the early season and in opposition to the procedure by which it was enacted. The Wisconsin chapters will be meeting again in early April, 2008 to discuss what can be done about the law.

President Jim Olson

NOTE from Editor:

Here's the link for the Spring Hearings:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/spring%20hearings/2008/2008SpringQuestionnaire.pdf 

I encourage you to attend your local board meeting. The locations for each county are listed on that link. You can not vote for other counties delegates, however, you are able to vote on issues such as this early season. You will find these questions on page 19.  **These meetings generally have very low attendance so every vote is really important. There are many other important fishery issues to consider, too. I hope you each make an attempt to be there.

ALSO, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES... In reality, the only true way this law can now get repealed is if Meyer or another Senator/Assemblyman writes up another bill to repeal it. So, please email Meyer AND your local rep (and carbon copy it to a bunch of other assemblymen!) so they know the general fishing public is opposed to the contents of this law and the way it was enacted. Here's a website that lists all the assembly and senate's address:  http:// waml.legis.state.wi.us/