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 20.12 - Setline and set or bank pole restrictions

(a) Its use is specifically authorized by a set or bank pole license issued under s. 29.531(1), Stats., or a setline license issued under s. 29.533(1), Stats. No person may use, set, lift, attend or possess set or bank pole or setline licensed to another person.

(b) Its use in that water is specifically authorized in s. NR 20.20.

(c) A white flag at least 10 inches square bearing the number of the license authorizing its use in black figures at least 3 inches high and attached to the top of a flag staff that extends at least 3 feet above the surface of the water or bank is placed and maintained at one end of the setline or within 2 feet of the set or bank pole with a cord attached from the flag staff to the set or bank pole. The flag staff may not exceed 2 1/2 inches in diameter and shall be marked with 2 inch to 6 inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands. When a buoy is used to hold the setline's flag staff, the buoy shall be cylindrical in shape, 15 inches or less in diameter and marked with 2 inch to 6 inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands. No person may place a setline flag, flag staff or pole in the main channel of any navigable waterway.

(d) A metal tag stamped with the number of the license authorizing its use is securely attached directly to the flag staff or pole of each setline or set or bank pole.

(a) Its use is specifically authorized by a set or bank pole license issued under s. 29.531(1), Stats., or a setline license issued under s. 29.533(1), Stats. No person may use, set, lift, attend or possess a set or bank pole or setline licensed to another person.

(b) Its use in that water is specifically authorized in s. NR 20.20.

(c) A white setline flag at least 10 inches square bearing the number of the license authorizing its use in figures at least 3 inches high and attached to a flag staff that extends at least 3 feet above the surface of the water or bank is placed and maintained at one end of the setline. The flag staff may not exceed 2 1/2 inches in diameter and shall be marked with 2 inch to 6 inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands. When a buoy is used to hold the setline's flag staff, the buoy shall be cylindrical in shape, 15 inches or less in diameter and marked with 2 inch to 6 inch wide alternating horizontal black and white bands. No person may place a setline flag, flag staff or pole in the main channel of any navigable waterway.

(d) A metal tag stamped with the number of the license authorizing its use is securely attached directly to each set or bank pole and to the flag staff of each setline.

(a) Use, set, lift, attend or possess more than 5 set or bank poles.

(b) Use, set, lift, attend, or possess more than one setline while on the waters of this state except as provided in ss. NR 21.11(4) (d) and 22.12(1).

(c) Use, set, lift or attend a set or bank pole equipped with more than one line, which may not have more than 2 hooks.

(d) Use, set, lift or attend a setline with more than 25 hooks.

(e) Use, set, lift, attend or possess any set or bank pole or setline between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.

(f) Use or set a set or bank pole or setline unless it is lifted and the catch removed at least once each day following the day it was set unless a longer period is authorized by the department or its agents.

(g) Use, set, lift or attend a set or bank pole or setline while in possession of hook and line fishing equipment.

(h) Use, set, lift or attend a set or bank pole or setline that is equipped with any hooks that have a gap between the juncture of the barb with the shank measured across to the opposite shank smaller than 3/4 inch except that on the Mississippi river there is no hook size restriction.

(i) Use whole or live fish as bait on set or bank poles or setlines on Lakes Butte des Morts, Little Butte des Morts, Winnebago and Winneconne, Winnebago county, Lake Poygan, Waushara and Winnebago counties and the Black river, Jackson, LaCrosse and Trempealeau counties.

(j) Use live crawfish or whole or live fish less than 5 inches in length as bait on set or bank poles or setlines.

(k) Place, use, set, or fail to remove from state lands or waters of the state any setline, set or bank pole, or part thereof, prior to or following the close of the open season authorizing the use of setlines, set or bank poles in s. NR 20.20.

(a) No person may take, retain, kill or possess any fish or other animal taken on a set or bank pole or setline other than catfish, rough fish or turtles.

Note: All game fish taken on any set or bank pole or setline shall be immediately returned to the water except catfish taken in compliance with this section.

(b) The size, bag and possession limits for catfish and rough fish established in s. NR 20.20 shall apply to all persons who fish with set or bank poles or setlines.

(a) Rough fish.

(b) Channel catfish taken from lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Winneconne, Poygan, and the Wolf river from 500 feet below the Shawano dam downstream to its mouth.