Beware of Summer Trap Nets

Sport trollers need to look out for trap nets near Two-Rivers-Manitowoc and Sheboygan. This summer, trap nets will be fished between Two Rivers and Manitowoc and south of Sheboygan. The nets are located about 6.5 miles off Manitowoc and 3.5 miles off Two Rivers in 75 to 150 feet of water. The north end of the trap net area near Sheboygan is about 4.5 miles south of the harbor and extends south for about 8 miles. The Sheboygan trap net area is about 2 miles from shore.

Trap nets are marked with flags as indicated in the figure below. Trap nets are 45 feet high so they pose a hazard to troller whose gear can become tangled with the mesh and anchor lines. Boaters should be careful of the buoy lines giving flags and buoys 250 feet of berth.

The lead with the double orage flag will point towards the shore; the pot with single orange flag will be in deeper water. A sinlge dark colored flag marks the deep end of the net. Side wings are marked with single flags or buoys.

The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program is a statewide program of basic and applied research, education and technology transfer dedicated to the wise stewardship and sustainable use of Great lakes and ocean resources.