Description of nets; use of
Wis. Stat. § 29.522
in effect(1) Entrapping nets.
(a) Fyke net. A fyke net is a composite net consisting of the following parts:
1. One net of a general hoop or circular-like structure commonly called a crib or pot with numbers of hoops holding, encasing or enclosing net webbing.
2. One or more small funnel-shaped nets commonly called tunnels with a large opening at one end and a small opening or throat at the other end through which the fish can pass from the outer part of the net into the crib or pot. This tunnel or these tunnels are attached to the inside of the crib or pot.
3. Two fence-like nets called wings or hearts attached to and extending obliquely outward from each side of the mouth of the net proper.
4. One fence-like net called a leader running from the center of the tunnel outward between the wings in a straight or angular line away from the net proper.
(b) Drop net. A drop net is a composite net consisting of the following parts:
1. One net of a general hoop or circular-like structure called a crib or pot with numbers of hoops holding, encasing or enclosing net webbing.
2. One or more small funnel-shaped nets commonly called tunnels with a large opening at one end and a small opening or throat at the other through which the fish can pass from the outer part of the net into the crib or pot. This tunnel or these tunnels are attached to the inside of the crib or pot.
3. One funnel- or hood-shaped net called a tunnel sloping upward and outward from the pot or crib.
4. Two fence-like nets called wings or hearts attached to and extending obliquely outward from each end of the tunnel.
5. One fence-like net called a leader running from the center of the tunnel outward between the wings in a straight or angular line away from the net proper.
(c) Short tunnel pound net. A short tunnel pound net is a composite net consisting of the following parts:
1. One boxlike receptacle closed at the bottom and sides and open at the top in which the fish are finally caught or impounded and variously known as a pound, pot or crib, but generally and commonly known in Wisconsin as a pot.
2. Two fence-like nets called hearts set one on each side of the tunnel mouth and used to form a preliminary enclosure resembling a heart in shape with no cover on the top or bottom.
3. One or more funnel-shaped nets commonly called a tunnel or tunnels with a large opening at one end and a small opening or throat at the other through which the fish can pass from the hearts into the pot.
4. One fence-like net called a leader running from the opening in the hearts in a straight or angular line away from the net proper.
5. All pound nets licensed or operated under this section must have their tunnels located and fastened entirely on the inside of the pot of the same, forming a net that is commonly known and called a short tunnel pound net.
(2) Entangling nets.
(a) Trammel net. A trammel net is made of 3 sheets of net webbing, one of them of comparatively small mesh and of fine twine being hung between 2 sheets of net webbing of much larger mesh and heavier twine. This net is equipped at the top and bottom with lead or maitre cord, line, or rope to which at the top are attached floats and at the bottom, sinkers. The inner web of this net is of considerably greater fullness than the outside web.
(b) Gill net. A gill net is a net designed to entangle fish and made of a single web of fine thread hung and fitted at the top and bottom with lead or maitre cord, line, or rope to which are attached at the top, floats, and at the bottom, sinkers.
(3) Drag nets; seine. A seine is a net made of a circular, square or long webbing of coarse twine hung very full and fitted at the top and bottom with lead or maitre cord, line or rope. To such lines at the top are attached floats, and at the bottom, sinkers. This net is hung with such fullness that it creates or forms a kind of a bag near the center of the net which holds or entraps the fish while the net is being drawn through the waters.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/29.522Fetched: 10/7/2026