Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed the bill to allow culling in bass tournaments late last week in a ceremony at Okauchee Lake, ending a decades-long fight to put the state on even terms with the rest of the U.S. regarding the issue. It was previously illegal to release a live bass once it had been kept in a boat's livewell.
“There is very little impact in terms of mortality when it comes to bass that have been culled,” said Wisconsin B.A.S.S. Federation Nation legislative director Dan Brovarney in an press release issued by B.A.S.S. “If there were data that proved culling or tournament fishing had a noticeable negative effect on the bass population, I would quit fishing tournaments, but there just isn’t proof.”
Said B.A.S.S. conservation director Noreen Clough: “Since 1980, Wisconsin B.A.S.S. and other anglers have been working with the Wisconsin State Legislature and fisheries managers to improve the management of black bass and black bass fishing, to include instituting bag limits, habitat programs and tournament standards. Legislation to allow culling at bass tournaments is the major highlight in those efforts and has been a long time coming.”
FLW Outdoors issued the following statement from Operations Division president Kathy Fennel:
“The state of Wisconsin made a positive move today that will benefit the fishing industry and the state’s economy with the signing of the bill lifting culling restrictions for bass tournaments. FLW Outdoors fully supports this move. This opens the opportunity to bring a major FLW tournament to Wisconsin. Some of the finest fisheries and fishing enthusiasts are located in Wisconsin. This is a great move for the sport and will also serve as an economic stimulus to the state.”
Pictured to right are State Assemly Rep. Joel Kleefisch (left), who authored the bill, along with Dan Brovarney (center) and Max Brovarney.
