Fishermen on many northern Wisconsin lakes in the area known as the “Ceded Territory” can now take a few more walleye than they were previously allowed.
The Department of Natural Resources is allowing anglers to catch as many as five walleye per day on 269 lakes. Other lakes will allow up to two or three. Joe Hennessy, the DNR’s treaty fisheries coordinator, says the increased limit is due to the fact that members of Ojibwe bands did not meet their harvest limit of nearly 30,000 fish.
“Overall the numbers are pretty similar,” said Hennessy. “Most of the lakes in the ceded territory will have a walleye bag limit of either two or three walleye per day.”
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Hennessy says specific information on limits is available on the DNR’s website or through a new Wisconsin Fish and Wildlife mobile app. Signs are also posted at boat landings.
He says the changes are only for certain lakes.
“These lakes are all located in what we call Wisconsin’s Ceded Territory, and it comprises about the northern one-third of the state,” said Hennessy. “It represents land that was ceded from those bands of (Ojibwe) to the United States Government in treaties of 1837 and 1842.”
Hennessy says the increased bag limits for walleye will last until next March.
This weekend is opening season for muskies, another popular sport fish in northern lakes.
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