Wisconsin DNR Hosts Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings for Public Input

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Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The Wisconsin DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress are hosting annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings to gather public input on natural resource management. The hearings will take place in-person on April 13, 2026, with an online input period extending through April 15, 2026.

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What changed

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) are announcing their annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings. These events serve as a platform for the public to provide input on natural resource management issues, including fish and wildlife. The WCC will also conduct delegate elections at the in-person meetings. Public feedback can be submitted via QR codes at in-person locations or online.

Regulated entities and interested parties should note the in-person hearings are scheduled for April 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. An online input opportunity will be available from 6 p.m. on April 13 through 6 p.m. on April 15, 2026. While these are consultation events and do not impose immediate compliance obligations, participation is encouraged to influence future resource management decisions. No specific compliance deadlines or penalties are associated with this announcement.

What to do next

Review the Spring Hearing Locations List to identify local meeting details.
Submit public input on fish, wildlife, and natural resources topics by April 15, 2026.
Consider participating in WCC delegate elections if applicable.

Source document (simplified)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2026-03-18 Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

DNR And Wisconsin Conservation Congress To Host Spring Hearings

Learn About Local Natural Resources Management

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) invite the public to attend the annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings held in their county on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. to learn about and provide input on resource management in the state. An online opportunity for public input will also be available from 6 p.m. on April 13 through 6 p.m. on April 15.

At the in-person spring hearings, DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand to discuss local issues of importance, answer questions from the public and open a dialogue between the public, the DNR and the WCC about areas of interest and concern.

The WCC will also hold delegate elections at each meeting. Two of the five WCC seats will be up for election in each county.

Finally, the public is invited to provide feedback on a variety of fish, wildlife and other natural resources-related topics as part of the spring hearing process. The public is encouraged to provide feedback through a QR code available at spring hearing locations on April 13, or online from 6 p.m. on April 13 through 6 p.m. on April 15. For those who prefer to do so in person, several paper input forms will be available at each in-person meeting.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is the only statutory body in the state where the public elects delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and the DNR on responsibly managing natural resources for present and future generations. The WCC accomplishes this through open, impartial, broad-ranged actions. Learn more about the WCC and how to become involved in resource management decisions on the DNR’s Wisconsin Conservation Congress webpage.

Event Details

What: Wisconsin Conservation Congress & DNR Fish And Wildlife Spring Hearings
When: April 13, 2026, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Find the meeting location for each county using the Spring Hearing Locations List online ****

What: Online Spring Hearing Public Input
When: Beginning at 6 p.m. on April 13 through 6 p.m. on April 15
Where: Virtual, on the DNR's Spring Hearing webpage

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