(DNR) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), together with Walleyes for Tomorrow, has announced the continuation of the walleye reward tag study in the Bay of Green Bay and its major tributaries.
The Bay of Green Bay and its tributaries support a world-class walleye fishery that has grown in popularity in recent years. To better understand the walleye fishery and gain estimates of walleye exploitation rates (i.e., the percentage of the walleye population that anglers harvest in a year), the DNR launched a reward tag study in spring of 2024.
The DNR will continue the study by tagging up to 5,000 walleyes with yellow floy tags and 400 red reward tags throughout five major spawning areas around Green Bay (Sturgeon Bay and the Fox, Menominee, Oconto and Peshtigo rivers) this spring.
Any reports of capturing or harvesting tagged walleyes
What Happens When I Catch A Tagged Walleye?
Anglers are encouraged to report all walleyes that are caught with any color floy tag to the DNR via email to DNRFHGBFish@wisconsin.gov or 920-662-5411. You can also mail to:
DNR Green Bay Service Center
ATTN: Fisheries Biologist
2984 Shawano Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54313
We ask anglers to report the following information regarding their tagged fish: tag number, tag color, species, length, location caught, date caught and if the fish was harvested or released.
Reward tags will be red and say, “REWARD: $100.” All red reward tags will have a date printed directly on the tag with a reward valid date. While the tagged walleye does not need to be harvested to receive the $100 reward, an angler must provide proper verification that they caught a walleye with a reward tag to receive the $100. Verification must be one of the following:
- Presenting the physical tag to the DNR if the walleye is harvested, or
- A close-up picture of the tag, including the three-digit tag number and a picture of the angler holding the walleye with the reward tag attached to the walleye if the walleye is released.
Anglers that report a yellow or green floy tag will receive the history of DNR encounters with that walleye, including the date, location, size, sex and possibly age at time of tagging. Picture verification or mailing in the physical tag is not needed when reporting walleyes with yellow or green floy tags.
Any tagged fish can be harvested if it is legal to do so or released. All fishing regulations apply. Tags should be left intact on all walleyes that are released, and anglers are encouraged to follow responsible catch and release practices.
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