Posted Saturday, May 19, 2012 --- 5:40 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new study says Wisconsin's 17 fish hatcheries are in need of $155 million in improvements.

A Springfield, Ill., engineering company recommends building a new Great Lakes cold water hatchery, a quarantine facility and two new inland lakes hatcheries. The report recommends raising license fees, selling a $5 fish hatchery stamp or even creating a conservation sales tax, which would need approval from taxpayers.

Department of Natural Resources fisheries director Al Kaas says the agency is looking at a 10-year plan that would renovate some existing hatcheries and close four others. Kaas tells Wisconsin Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/J6bXdS ) the DNR doesn't have the money to operate and maintain all of the facilities it has in operation. The study recommends closing hatcheries in Langlade, Thunder River, Kettle Moraine and Brule River.

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Information from: Wisconsin Public Radio, http://www.wpr.org

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.