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Bringing more walleye to Wisconsin's watersThe Wisconsin Walleye Initiative (WWI) was developed by the Departmentof Natural Resources and the Governor’s office to increase the number ofwalleyes in state walleye waters by expanding production of large fingerlingwalleye at state, private and tribal fish hatcheries for stocking in waters accessibleto the public. This historic investment in Wisconsin’s walleye fishery willbenefit all users and Wisconsin’s angling related economy:• $8.2 million for infrastructure improvements and $1.3 million each year forannual operating costs will be provided to expand production at DNR statefish hatcheries. Production should increase from 60,000 to 120,000 largewalleye fingerlings to well over 500,000 by 2016.• One time funding of $2 million is also being provided for a competitivegrant program for municipal, tribal and private aquaculture facilities toimprove their infrastructure and enhance the capabilities to stock additionallarge fingerling walleye in Wisconsin’s waters.$500,000 is being provided annually starting in FY 14-15 topurchase large fingerling walleye for stocking in Wisconsin’swaters from private fish farms. Several states including Indiana andMinnesota have had success improving their walleye fisheries withpurchases of walleye fingerlings from private sources.$250,000 General purpose revenue will be provided annually to expandthe summer Tribal Youth Program. This program is a state-tribalpartnership, with a 50-50 funding split, that provides tribal highschool-aged youth an opportunity to work on natural resourcerelatedprojects during the summer. This initiative has been in placesince 2007 with the Chippewa---Lac du Flambeau, Lac Courte Oreillesand Red Cliff tribes. The proposal would expand the program andinclude the state’s remaining eight tribal nations. A new annualappropriation would be created to distribute funds for this program.To stay informed about theWisconsin Walleye Initiative, goto the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov,and search "walleye".27