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WI Conservation Congress Spring Hearings

Weigh in on wakesports, fishing regulations, and more

By Wisconsin Lakes staff

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold open houses across Wisconsin on Monday, April 8 at 6 p.m. to learn about resource management through the annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearing process. Additionally, an online opportunity for public input will be available from noon on Wednesday, April 10 through noon on Saturday, April 13. 

The WCC is a statutory body that provides input to the Natural Resources Board and DNR. Each spring through the in-person and online hearing process the public is allowed to weigh in on a wide range of issues. Water related questions up for consideration in 2024 include topics such as:

  • Prohibiting wake boat ballast systems on Wisconsin’s waters
  • Setting state statutory standards for where wakesports may be undertaken, based on size of lake, depth of lake, and distance from other lake users
  • Changes to fishing regulations including expansion of the inland trout season, trolling regulations, and bag limits for bass

More information is available on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing webpage.


Event Details

Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin DNR Fish And Wildlife
Spring Hearings

When: April 8, 2024, 6-9 p.m.

  • 6-6:30 p.m. – Arrival/sign in
  • 6:30-7 p.m. – DNR staff presentations
  • 7 p.m. – Wisconsin Conservation Congress delegate elections
  • 7:30 p.m. – Review Spring Hearing questions and any introduced citizen resolutions

Where: Meetings available in each Wisconsin county; refer to website for specific location details

Online Spring Hearing Public Input

When: Noon Wednesday, April 10 through noon Saturday, April 13

Where: On the DNR’s website