Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation
Chapter NR 20 - Fishing: Inland Waters; Outlying Waters
Subchapter II - Prohibited Methods
Section NR 20.105 - Sturgeon spearing licenses

(a) Application deadlines. All upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license applications shall be received by the date established by the department to be considered for selection. The annual application deadline date may be no earlier than July 1.

Note: The department conducts extensive publicity on the application deadlines beginning several months prior to any deadline. Application deadline dates are published in news releases, license outlet handouts, and pertinent regulation pamphlets. Applications may be obtained from any department license vendor. Applications and information may be obtained from the Bureau of Customer Service and Licensing address is 101 South Webster, Box 7924, Madison, WI 53707.

(b) Group applications. If a maximum of 4 persons wish to spear sturgeon on the upriver lakes together, each shall first apply for an individual upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license and then complete a group application form. The group application shall be treated as one application for purposes of random selection under the cumulative preference system and consideration for a license. The group's preference standing shall be that of the member with the lowest number of preference points. If the group is selected to receive upriver lakes sturgeon spearing licenses, all members of the group will lose all accumulated preference points.

(c) Prohibition of purchase of Lake Winnebago spearing license. No person who applies for an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license may purchase a Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license in the same year, except unsuccessful applicants for an upriver lakes license may purchase a Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license after October 1.

(d) Applications for upriver lakes. No person may apply for an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license unless they will become 12 years of age before or on the last day of the upcoming sturgeon spearing season.

(a) If the number of applications for licenses for the upriver lakes sturgeon spearing season exceeds the available quota of licenses, successful applicants shall be randomly selected in accordance with the preference system established under s. 29.192(4), Stats. No person may purchase an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license unless they are a successful applicant who has received authorization to purchase from the department.

Note: Section 29.192, Stats., Regulation of takings of certain wild animals. (4) If the department decides to limit the number of hunters or trappers taking Canada geese, sharp-tailed grouse, fishers, otters, bobcats or sturgeon by issuing permits and if the number of persons seeking the permits exceeds the number of available permits, the department shall issue the permits according to a cumulative preference system established by the department. The department shall give a preference point to each applicant for each previous season for which the applicant applied but was not issued a permit. The system shall establish preference categories for these applicants, with higher priority given to those categories with more points than those with fewer points. Applicants who fail to apply at least once during any 3 consecutive years shall lose all previously accumulated preference points. If the number of applicants within a preference category or a subcategory exceeds the number of permits available in the category or subcategory, the department shall select at random within the category or subcategory the applicants to be issued the permits.

(b) Upon selection, all successful applicants lose all accumulated preference points regardless of the length of the sturgeon spearing season or whether or not the successful applicant purchases a license. Unsuccessful applicants who subsequently purchase a Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license shall retain all accumulated preference points.

(a) The department shall issue a notice of approval to those qualified applicants selected to receive an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license. A person who receives a notice of approval and who pays the fee in the manner required by the department shall be issued an upriver lakes spearing license.

(b) Each successful applicant for an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license shall be issued a carcass tag by the department upon issuance of the license.

(c) If the number of applications for licenses for an upriver lakes sturgeon spearing season is less than the available quota of licenses, the department may make available the remaining upriver lakes sturgeon spearing licenses to any person who has not purchased either a Lake Winnebago or upriver lakes sturgeon spearing license on a first-come, first-served basis. The issuance of a tag under this paragraph will result in loss of preference points accumulated under the cumulative preference system.