For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the 2022 stocking numbers for inland waterbodies and the Great Lakes on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
More than six million fish were stocked in 2022 to fill stocking quotas established by fisheries biologists, DNR said.
Every year, the DNR raises millions of yearling and fingerling fish to stock into waterbodies across the state.
“Stocking helps boost natural fish populations, maintain or restore existing fisheries, and support recreational fishing opportunities,” DNR stated. “Stocking is also used to evaluate management actions or propagation techniques.”
DNR fish crews stocked these species into inland waters across the state in 2022.
“These numbers include large fingerling walleye purchased by the DNR from private growers or tribal hatcheries that contributed to filling walleye stocking quotas,” DNR said. “ These numbers do not include fish supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the stocking of fry or any other private or tribal hatchery stocking events.”
To view stocking data from previous years or stocking numbers for a specific location, visit DNR’s stocking database at www.dnr.wi.gov/fisheriesmanagement/Public/Summary.