Walker signs bass culling bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill to legalize culling in bass tournaments.

Culling refers to catching a fish, keeping it in a live well and then throwing it back after catching a bigger fish. The practice is illegal in Wisconsin, but the bill creates an exemption for bass tournaments. The bill’s chief sponsor, Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch of Oconomowoc, says the change will draw larger tournaments to the state and pump up local economies.

The governor was scheduled to sign the measure at the Golden Mast Inn on Okauchee Lake near Oconomowoc early Friday morning. His spokesman confirmed he signed the measure in a short email, but didn’t release an announcement because state workers were on furlough Friday.