MISSION STATEMENT
PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS
WISCONSIN native fishes
Wisconsin has both warmwater and coldwater habitat. This includes 12,600 rivers and streams for a total of 84,000 miles, and 15,000 lakes and ponds, including parts of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Wisconsin is home to over 150 native fish species across 25 families. This includes 5 species of lamprey, 2 species of sturgeon, paddlefish, 2 species of gar, bowfin, American eel, 2 species of herring, goldeneye, mooneye, 6 species of cisco, 3 species of whitefish, brook trout, lake trout, grass pickerel, northern pike, muskellunge, over 40 species of minnows, 20 species of sucker, 9 species of catfish, burbot, white and yellow bass, rock bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white and black crappie; green, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and longear sunfish; 15 species of darter, yellow perch, walleye, freshwater drum, and 4 species of sculpin. According to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2,700 streams for a total of 10,370 miles are suitable for trout. The fabled Driftless Area in the southwest corner of the state is home to intact wild native brook trout streams. Per WDNR, the best populations of wild brook trout are found in Story Creek, Mount Vernon Creek, Primrose Branch, and Sudan Branch. Most notably, Lake Superior is home to a unique life history strategy of large brook trout known as coasters.
status, threats, and conservation
According to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, there are at least 20 species of nonnative fish in the state. There are also 9 acknowledged hybrids, some of which are hatchery-reared in support of recreational fishing. As for Wisconsin’s native fish, 21 species and 1 life history strategy (coasters) are designated as “special concern.” Ten species of fish native to Wisconsin are classified as threatened: black buffalo, blue sucker, gilt darter, longear sunfish, Ozark minnow, paddlefish, pugnose shiner, redfin shiner, river redhorse, and shoal chub. Another 10 native fish are classified as endangered: black redhorse, bluntnose darter, crystal darter, goldeneye, gravel chub, pallid shiner, skipjack herring, slender madtom, starhead topminnow, and striped shiner. There are roughly 4,700 dams on Wisconsin rivers and streams, most of which negatively impact habitat and fish passage.
WISCONSIN nfc board
Below is our Wisconsin State Board. This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in Wisconsin, home to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, untold miles of river and stream, numerous lakes and ponds, and a number of wild native fish species.
wisconsin nfc ADvisory CounCil
Below is our Wisconsin Advisory Council. This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience. They work with the Wisconsin board to help identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.
recent wisconsin nfc CAMPAIGNS
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wisconsin nfc CONSERVATION PARTNERS
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ROBERT “BOBBY” DAVIS is an assistant professor of natural resources…