Call-to-action: On April 9, Wisconsin bass anglers will have the opportunity to vote on a pair of questions in the spring Conservation Congress hearings. These questions have the opportunity to greatly influence the future of tournament fishing in Wisconsin. The first question seeks to recognize that special regulations on specific waterways can create a disadvantage for tournament anglers pursuing the standard catch-hold-release format tournament and is heartily endorsed by B.A.S.S.
It has been worked on by both the WDNR and Wisconsin B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director Ryan Hoffmann. The question reads: “Do you favor an exception that allows participants in permitted fishing tournaments to adhere to the standard statewide five fish bag limit and 14-inch minimum size limit – as long as all bass are release back to the same waterbody?” Not only would this question open new waters for responsible tournament angling, but it would also grant WDNR the opportunity to work with tournament anglers to better understand how special regulations are working and if they’re still required. B.A.S.S. strongly supports this question.
The second question of interest to tournament anglers comes from the state Warm Water Committee, an non-WDNR advisory board. This question is deeply concerning to B.A.S.S. and would severely restrict tournament fishing in the state. This question reads: “Would you favor a statewide 12-inch size limit, three-fish per day bag limit for largemouth bass on inland waters? The bag limit would be for largemouth bass only and would not be combine with smallmouth bass.” This question would of course fundamentally change the nature of catch-hold-release tournaments in the state of Wisconsin and limit the ability of many nation-wide tournament organizations to continue to bring their events here to enjoy the unique opportunities the state of Wisconsin offers. B.A.S.S. strongly opposes this question.
These questions, should they pass would be sent to the state Natural resources board for consideration and potential adoption as statewide regulations. The meetings being at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 9, and all Wisconsin citizens may attend their county of residences meeting and vote (locations can be found here).
All concerned bass tournament anglers should attend these meetings and vote on these critical resolutions. If you are not at the negotiating table, you may not like the results that are forced on you.
