Breakthrough technology making fish finding easier; how the DNR has responded | News
Breakthrough technology making fish finding easier; how the DNR has responded | News
Publish Date: 2026-06-15 16:36:00
Source Domain: www.waow.com
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) – New technology has helped fishermen locate fish more easily. Of course, fishermen love it. But do environmental experts and DNR officials?
Fish finding technology has been available for years, but new forward facing sonar can pinpoint exactly where fish are and document their moves in real time.
Studies show around 30% of fishermen in Minnesota are using the technology and seeing the benefits.
“You certainly learn more about the fish, how they react. You know what they’re doing, the types of fish that you’re able to recognize, (and) the type of fish that you’re targeting by studying that,” said Minnesota resident Terry Rhem.
The Minnesota DNR has monitored the technology closely, to see what impacts it might have on fish populations.
“We understand that there’s concern predominantly that catch rates are going to increase, harvest might increase. And even if there is predominantly catch and release fishing, the increased catch rates will translate to increased mortality that might end up happening at unsustainable levels,” said Eric Sanft, Minnesota DNR Aquatic Plant Management Specialist.
Last year in Wisconsin, a study followed one team of fishermen who implemented the technology, and one who did not. The team who didn’t use the technology had higher catch rates, but those using the technology caught bigger fish.
