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AUTHORS. John Kubisiak, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
ABSTRACT. Minocqua Chain is a 5,800-acre lake chain in northern Wisconsin. Walleye historically exhibited above-average adult densities with excellent size structure, despite weak to moderate levels of recruitment. Natural recruitment of Walleye declined dramatically after early 2000s and size- and age-structure became skewed towards larger, older individuals. A strong public push to rehabilitate the fishery brought together biologists, tribal interests, anglers, fishing clubs and local businesses. These groups brought diverse perceptions to the table. The public effort resulted in local acceptance of much stricter measures than agency biologists originally proposed, including 5 years of no tribal Walleye harvest coupled with catch-and-release angling regulations. Stocking of extended growth Walleye and liberalized bass harvest regulations were also implemented. Initial responses of the fishery to these measures are positive, but significant natural reproduction has not yet returned.
