Dr. Ronald M. BruchWinnebago System Fisheries Supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
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Management of the Recreational Fisher-ies of the Winnebago System, Wisconsin, USA |
| The Winnebago-Fox-Wolf System in east central Wisconsin, USA is a 1.5 million ha watershed in the Lake Michigan basin that includes over 3300 km of the Wolf and upper Fox Rivers and their tributaries, and 70000 ha of the shallow riverine chain of lakes, Winnebago, and Butte des Mort, Winneconne, and Poygan. The Winnebago-Fox waterway was a key part of the historic commercial connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River for Native Americans and European immigrants for hundreds of years. The Winnebago lake system is generally eutrophic and while undergoing severe aquatic habitat loss since a 1 meter inundation in the late 1800s is still home to over 100 species of fish. The recreational fisheries are focused on lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), walleye (Zander vitrium), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), white bass (Morone chrysops), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris), and have an annual economic impact on the region of $235 million. Management of the fisheries is based on a model that includes 1) annual assessment of populations and harvest, 2) habitat protection and enhancement, 3) law enforcement, and 4) pro-active public involvement. This management model has produced the largest lake sturgeon population and fishery in North America (with an annual winter spear harvest of over 1500 fish), a nationally renowned walleye fishery, significantly improved aquatic habitat despite the negative impact of some invasive species (e.g. carp, zebra mussels), high compliance with fisheries regulations, and a public with a tremendous amount of ownership in the program that provides outstanding financial and political support for the program. |
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Ort |
| 19.05.2010 15:00 Uhr Großer Hörsaal |
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