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DNR’s 10‑year panfish experiment finds 15‑5 bag limit best at improving bluegill size
Summary
A decade‑long adaptive‑management experiment on 94 lakes found that a 15‑fish daily bag limit with no more than five of any one species (the "15‑5" rule) yielded the most consistent size improvements for bluegill and the largest average gains for crappie; staff will propose targeted 5‑bag regulations in the 2025 spring hearings package.
The Department of Natural Resources presented results Dec. 11 from a decade‑long panfish experiment (2016–2026) testing three regulation types on 94 lakes to determine whether reduced bag limits could improve size structure of bluegill and crappie.
"This was a huge success," Alex Latska, fisheries systems biologist and co‑chair of the panfish team, told the Natural Resources Board. He said the 15‑5 regulation (no more than five of any one species, maximum 15 fish total) was the only tested regulation that was statistically different from reference lakes for bluegill and produced an average improvement of 0.6 inches for bluegill; crappie improved on average by about 1.6 inches under the same regulation but smaller sample sizes limited statistical certainty.
The study examined three regulation types: a 25‑10 variant (keep 25 total but no more than 10 of any one species), a seasonal 15‑5 (15 total, no more than 5 of any species during May–June spawning months), and a year‑round 15‑5. Latska said the year‑round 15‑5 showed the largest and most consistent improvements overall for bluegill; some lakes experienced gains of more than an inch and a few exceptional lakes showed larger increases.
Social acceptability was evaluated via focus groups, intercept surveys at boat landings and a statewide mail survey (mail response ~50%). Latska said overall support was high but opposition was statistically higher for the strict 15‑5 rule among a minority of anglers who prefer high harvest. Staff said they will propose a package for the 2025 spring hearings that includes targeted 5‑bag regulations for lakes judged likely to benefit from them, while keeping the default statewide daily bag limit at 25 fish where appropriate.
Board members asked about enforcement, signage and whether decreased bag limits shifted angling effort. Latska said multiple methods (including landing counts and creel data) indicate observed improvements were driven by reduced harvest rather than substantial decreases in effort, though compliance and enforcement resources remain concerns. The department plans online tools and signage at affected lakes and additional outreach before any regulatory changes take effect.
The report is informational; staff will include proposals in the February spring hearings package and hold public meetings prior to final rulemaking.
