Smith: 2020 Wisconsin fishing opener will be unlike any other

Anglers have a reputation of stretching their stories. It's a generations-long tradition that's typically fun and harmless.

But two months ago if anyone said the 2020 Wisconsin fishing opener would have curbside-only service at bait-and-tackle shops and no fishing guide could legally operate, I would have called foul.

That tale was outside the bounds of believability.

Yet that's the reality we face just days before the annual start of the state's inland fishing season.

The general game fish season opens Saturday in the Badger State.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a rewrite of rules around the globe as health agencies and governmental officials attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Here in Wisconsin, that means the 2020 fishing opener will be unlike any other.

For the record, fishing is allowed, even encouraged, under Gov. Tony Evers' Safer-at-Home order.

The order recognizes fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation as essential activities. 

State waters and boat launches are open for anglers. That includes ramps on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, which was among 34 state parks and other public properties reopened on Tuesday.

"We are excited to reopen several of our state parks and forests for the public to enjoy," said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole. "We must do all that we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Remember to stay close to home, practice social distancing and carry hand sanitizer. Please enjoy the outdoors responsibly and be more than safe."

Yes, when it comes to wetting a line, this will not be your grandfather's fishing opener.

The start of the 2020 season comes with a list of caveats worthy of its own regulation book.

For starters, fishing should be done by avoiding crowds and practicing physical distancing of at least 6 feet from other anglers. 

Memes of one sturgeon or three walleyes strung between fishermen have populated social media in recent weeks.

The 6-foot separation should be feasible to maintain between two anglers on most boats.

And shore anglers typically prefer at least that much distance from another caster.

Then there's the recommendation to fish "in your community."

The state order makes it clear travel, even for fishing, is not in keeping with efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.

"Yes, we're still encouraging people to fish close to home," said Sarah Hoye, DNR communications director. "Fishing is a big deal for the state, we totally get it. It’s just one of those things - we’ve never seen anything like this. We want to make sure people will be safe and not spread the virus."

In addition to fishing near home, the DNR is advising anglers to not crowd the banks or the boat launches, and to give others space.

Like most parts of the state's economy, many fishing-related businesses have taken a hit from the state order.

While bait-and-tackle shops are allowed to operate, they can only do so with curb-side, phone and Internet sales.

"We're working through it," said Mike Smith, co-owner of Dick Smith's Live Bait and Tackle in Delafield. "Its just gets a little hairy when we get a lot of people coming to the door and not familiar with the system."

Smith said he has a good assortment of products available, including fresh bait, but business has been reduced due to customers not being able to shop in the store.

The state order has disadvantaged small bait and tackle shops as it has allowed bigger retail stores that include sales of hardware or firearms to continue to have shoppers inside to browse through their entire product inventory, including fishing items.

Smith said he is looking forward to a relaxation of the state rule that will allow him to have customers inside. He's already installed features such as hand sanitizer dispensers in his store.

Another way the 2020 Wisconsin opener will be different is the lack of fishing guides. As of Wednesday evening, the state order deemed fishing guides non-essential.

However, that could change. Two non-profit organizations on Wednesday filed an amicus brief with the State Supreme Court in an attempt to allow charter boat captains and other fishing guides to operate their businesses.

The Wisconsin Lakeshore Business Association and Hunter Nation called the order “arbitrary and capricious and a clear violation of our constitutionally protected rights.” Attorney and former state senator Adam Jarchow is leading the case for the groups.

It's not known how quickly the court will take up the case.

The legal action is another stark reminder of the unprecedented time we find ourselves in.

As far as fishing goes, Wisconsin's waters appear in very good shape. Water temperatures are cool, and walleyes should still be in relatively shallow water for a post-spawn bite. Crappies have yet to spawn and are also providing good action, Smith said.

And the weather forecast for Saturday is favorable, with partly sunny skies and high temperatures of 60s and 70s.

In 2013, most lakes I wanted to fish in northern Wisconsin were still frozen on the first Saturday in May. So together with a bunch of others, including then DNR fisheries director Mike Staggs, I drilled holes and ice fished.

It was a first for all of us in the group.

The 2020 opener will be another first. But this time, every angler in the state will be in it together.

Stay safe, give your fellow anglers some space and enjoy the day.

Reminder about new regulations: Anglers should be aware of new walleye regulations for the 2020 season for the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage and connected waterbodies. 

The new walleye regulations impose a minimum length limit of 12 inches. Anglers will also only be allowed to keep one walleye over 15 inches with a total daily bag limit of three walleyes.

The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage regulation change should help reduce the harvest of both juvenile and adult walleyes while still allowing anglers to harvest some quality-sized fish, according to the DNR.

The goal of the change is to manage for a higher walleye population density with larger walleyes available for harvest.

Check the 2020 Wisconsin fishing regulations pamphlet for details of statewide rules.