September 16 and 17 public meetings to unveil updated Lake Superior fisheries management plan

September 16 and 17 public meetings to unveil updated Lake Superior fisheries management plan

Contact(s): Bradley Ray, DNR fisheries supervisor, 715-779-4036

A draft plan for managing the Lake Superior fishery is now available for public comment.Photo credit: DNR

ASHLAND, Wis. – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff will hold two public meetings to discuss an updated Lake Superior fisheries management plan. The meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on September 16 at the Peter Rich Community Center, 1201 N 8^th St. Superior, and at 6 p.m. on September 17 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland.

At these meetings, department staff will present the draft Lake Superior Fisheries Management Plan, which has been developed over the last two years with significant input from stakeholders and a 26-member advisory panel. Attendees at these meetings will also have an opportunity to provide comments on the plan. In conjunction with these meetings there will be a 30-day comment period on the plan.

“The previous Lake Superior fisheries management plan is 30 years old,” said Bradley Ray, DNR fisheries supervisor. “This meeting is the culmination of two years of effort by the Lake Superior Fisheries Team, the 26 members of the Lake Superior Management Plan Advisory Panel, and numerous other stakeholders to update the Plan. We are excited to unveil this draft of the Plan for more public input.”

The fisheries management plan provides a broad overview of fisheries and fish communities of Lake Superior and establishes objectives for future management. The management plan incorporates input from diverse stakeholders including representatives from sport, commercial, and tribal fisheries, conservation groups, academia, tourism, and land and water conservation groups.

“Lake Superior is a shared fishery, and we have endeavored to take all interests into account in the development of this plan. The plan allows the department to implement existing effective management strategies and to direct future adaptive management strategies for Lake Superior. We look forward to sharing the draft plan with our stakeholders allowing them to have another chance to be involved in the direction of fisheries management in Lake Superior over the next 10 years,” said Ray.

To learn more about Lake Superior fishery management and review the draft Lake Superior Management Plan or submit comments on the draft plan, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “Lake Superior fisheries management” or contact Bradley Ray via phone 715-779-4036 or email at [email protected]. People can submit written comments on the plan through Oct. 20 2019