Photo by Forrest Fisher Discussion among anglers regarding the new technology for fishing — Forward-Facing Sonar — is becoming a national debate that could affect the recreational industry.

According to Austin Sherwood, with news from the National Professional Anglers Association, the Wisconsin DNR calls out fishing technology in their annual “Spring Hearings.”

Like the NYSDEC, the process gathers public input on questions about potential new laws by asking for public input via online comments.

This is their Question 22, verbatim: Ban live scopes and 360° imaging locations in Wisconsin waters (280123). With the ability of these types of units to detect fish as far as 180 feet from the user, anglers have become more efficient at locating and catching fish. This type of pressure could reduce fish populations, which may lead to reduced bag limits for anglers. Would you support banning the use of live scopes and similar 360-degree imaging electronics in all Wisconsin waters?

This question is pertinent to anglers in every state of the USA. Note that Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota are also collecting data about Forward-Facing Sonar. Since the effectiveness of finding fish with this technology, FFS has become the latest national question about the ethics of fishing and using the new devices. Instead of fishing, anglers now watch a TV screen in their boat as they drive around looking for the biggest and most fish. Starting with Wisconsin and other states brave enough to ask this question, new legislation on using technology for fishing could change the sport. What if FFS is outlawed? Does this start a wildlife fire rebellion among anglers and legislators?

In the old days, coal miners would bring a canary into the mine where they worked. If the bird died, they knew toxic gases were present and would evacuate. The metaphor is still alive today, as with FFS. Old-time anglers mostly oppose using high-tech gear that can find single fish and large or small fish on one screen. They say, “It’s just not fishing; (FFS is a video game now.”

Austin Sherwood adds, “The use of these technologies is dividing our sport, and that is concerning. Whether you employ the technology or not, we need to understand that a regulation to make a certain technology illegal will be detrimental to the sport.

FFS is used by guides, captains, tournament anglers and the general angling public to increase success on the water. It has also attracted many younger anglers who embrace technology. If you choose not to utilize these technologies, fine. If you use it and catch more fish, great, but you also need to respect the resource and mitigate harvest. Just because you’re able to catch more fish, doesn’t mean you should keep a limit every time you fish. How these technologies affect fish populations is the linchpin, so it’s prudent to be conservative in your take.”

The Wisconsin DNR allows inputs from anglers across all states. If you feel strongly about FFS in one direction or the other, here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024SpringHearings. The days of ropes and window sash weights to find the depth of the water and secret fishing holes are over.

CALENDAR

April 13-14: Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department Spring Sportsman’s Show, Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, Little valley, N.Y., call 716-609-0500 for info.

April 14: Sportsmen Flea Market, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., buy, sell, trade. Tables are free. Open to the public. Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk. 716-366-8836 for info.

April 20: 1-Day Lake Erie yellow perch derby, Southtowns Walleye Association, 716-796-5372 for info.

NOTE: Submit Calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.