QUESTION 6 ? Eliminate barbless hooks restriction during early trout season
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted showing that the use of barbed versus barbless hooks
has little effect on trout mortality following release. In a 1997 study published in the North American
Journal of Fisheries Management, for flies and lures combined, the average hook related mortality was
4.5% for barbed hooks and 4.2% for barbless hooks. Because natural mortality for wild trout range from
30-65% annually, the 0.3% difference in the two hook types is irrelevant at the population level, even when
fish are subjected to repeated catch and release. Most biologists agree that how deeply a fish is hooked
has more to do with mortality than what type of hook is used. Despite the scientific evidence, anglers are
required to use barbless hooks only during the early catch-and-release trout season. Elimination of that
restriction would simplify trout fishing regulations and eliminate law enforcement issues.
The use of live bait will still be prohibited during the early catch-and-release trout fishing season.
If adopted, this proposal will take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin
Administrative Register.
Do you support allowing the use of barbed hooks during the early catch-and-release trout
season in Wisconsin?
6. YES_______ NO_______




http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/nrboa...aire-Final.pdf