Wisconsin DNR Releases 2024 Fish Stocking Numbers for Inland Waterbodies and the Great Lakes

Strategic Insights -

In a move to bolster natural fish populations, maintain existing fisheries, and support recreational fishing opportunities, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the 2024 fish stocking numbers for inland waterbodies and the Great Lakes. A staggering 5 million fish were stocked in 2024, helping to fulfill the quotas submitted by county fisheries biologists. The data provided by the DNR highlights the importance of stocking in evaluating management actions and fish culture techniques, while also emphasizing the role of public input, experimental fisheries management strategies, and specific watershed goals in determining the species and quantity of fish to be stocked.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wisconsin DNR stocked over 5 million fish in 2024, with a breakdown of species-specific numbers provided for inland waters and the Great Lakes.
  • The stocking efforts focused on boosting natural fish populations, maintaining existing fisheries, and supporting recreational fishing opportunities.
  • DNR biologists used data from present and past surveys, as well as public input, experimental fisheries management strategies, and specific watershed goals to determine the species and quantity of fish to be stocked.
  • The total number of fish stocked in inland waters in 2024 includes:

+ 231,685 brook trout

+ 288,290 brown trout

+ 10,945 lake sturgeon

+ 86,552 lake trout

+ 59,112 muskellunge

+ 243,588 rainbow trout

+ 1,195,570 walleye

  • The total number of fish stocked in Lake Michigan in 2024 includes:

+ 50,184 brook trout

+ 475,045 brown trout

+ 1,361,857 chinook salmon

+ 517,166 coho salmon

+ 1,139 lake sturgeon

+ 15,495 muskellunge

+ 446,150 rainbow trout

  • The total number of fish stocked in Lake Superior in 2024 includes:

+ 199,885 brown trout

+ 60,732 lake trout

+ 54,743 splake

Statistics:

  • 5 million fish were stocked in 2024.
  • 231,685 brook trout were stocked in inland waters.
  • 1,195,570 walleye were stocked in inland waters.
  • 50,184 brook trout were stocked in Lake Michigan.
  • 1,361,857 chinook salmon were stocked in Lake Michigan.

Sources:

  • The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2024)
  • [No additional sources provided]