WISCONSIN LAKESHORE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 

PRESERVING WISCONSIN'S LAKE MICHIGAN TROUT & SALMON SPORT FISHING HERITAGE & ENSURING ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR OUR COMMUNITIES

 
WLBA Executive Board with their Lobbyists
The WLBA was created to sustain Lake Michigan's world class fishery. We bring a strong unified voice built by private fishermen, shore anglers, charters, marinas, hotels, gas stations, campgrounds, restaurants, marine repair, tackle vendors, and many other businesses that rely on a robust healthy fishery. Our group engages with local units of this economic machine that so many coastal communities depend on. Together we can make a difference!
 
2016/17 - WLBA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

* Stopped a 62% reduction in King Salmon        stocking in Lake Michigan Waters.

* Increased Lake Trout Limit to 5 per day.          (previous 2 per day)

* Cut Lake Trout stocking by 400,000.

# Increased Rainbow Trout stocking in 2017,       which included the sought after Skamania Strain.

* Helping local clubs on obtaining and using net    pens, promoting increased use of net pens            statewide thru conversations with DNR                  leadership.

* Stopped the proposal to eliminate 2 day          paper fishing licenses issued by many charter        operators as a convenience for their customers.

  • WLBA Board members with Wisconsin DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
    WLBA Board members with Wisconsin DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
  • Governor Scott Walker signing agriculture bill.
    Governor Scott Walker signing agriculture bill.
  • WLBA Vice President Dan Welsch speaking in Madison at the Lake Trout hearings.
    WLBA Vice President Dan Welsch speaking in Madison at the Lake Trout hearings.
  • Net pen Stocking in Kewaunee, WI.
    Net pen Stocking in Kewaunee, WI.
  • WLBA board members meeting with Todd Kalish of the Wisconsin DNR.
    WLBA board members meeting with Todd Kalish of the Wisconsin DNR.
  • WLBA Treasurer Troy Mattson with Governor Scott Walker.
    WLBA Treasurer Troy Mattson with Governor Scott Walker.
  • Wisconsin DNR Stocking Rainbow Trout through the ice in the Sheboygan Harbor.
    Wisconsin DNR Stocking Rainbow Trout through the ice in the Sheboygan Harbor.
  • Public Wisconsin DNR meeting at LTC in Cleveland,WI about future stocking in Lake Michigan.
    Public Wisconsin DNR meeting at LTC in Cleveland,WI about future stocking in Lake Michigan.
  • WLBA executive board members with their lobbyist in Madison, WI.
    WLBA executive board members with their lobbyist in Madison, WI.
  • WLBA President Tom Kleiman speaking at state capital in Madison, WI.
    WLBA President Tom Kleiman speaking at state capital in Madison, WI.
WLBA Board members with Wisconsin DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
WLBA Board members with Wisconsin DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.
 
  • Wild Rose Hatchery
    Wild Rose Hatchery
  • Algoma Light House
    Algoma Light House

WLBA FUTURE GOALS

* Working to improve near shore fishing opportunities    by looking at different strains of Brown Trout that near          harbors and streams.

* Continue to work to identify a path to create Lake        Trout harvest opportunities on the mid-lake reef.

* Continue discussion on speeding up hatchery                    construction.

* Increase Seeforellen Brown Trout stocking to 2016

   (past levels).

* Identify opportunities to increase Rainbow Trout                stocking.

* Allocate a percentage of Lake Michigan license sales to local clubs and associations to promote our fishery.

* Partner with WDNR on collecting information concerning      predator / prey ratio.

* Increase programs for kids and first time anglers.

* Working with WDNR on adopting a plan moving forward      providing a world class fishery for years to come.