NEWS #1 - 24th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics set for Saturday, Feb.14
MILWAUKEE - Kids 15-years-old and younger are invited to discover the joys of ice fishing at the 24th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics on Saturday, Feb. 14, at park lagoons in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
The free clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will receive instruction on the proper use of equipment and techniques, such as knot tying, ice safety and much more. The clinics are taught by members of local fishing clubs and last 45 minutes, and then the young anglers can begin fishing. Classes begin every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m., with the final session beginning at 2 p.m.
"These clinics are an excellent way to introduce youngsters to the sport of fishing and a perfect opportunity for families that want to enjoy some of the outdoor recreational activities that Wisconsin has to offer," says Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp,
The clinics represent a cooperative effort by the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee County Parks, Waukesha County Parks, the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery and the Department of Natural Resources.
All equipment and snacks are provided free of charge and instructions will be given regardless of weather. No pre-registration is required, but please call DNR Urban Fish Biologist Matt Coffaro at 414-263-8614 for groups of 20 or more, or for additional information. Listed below are the clinic locations and sponsoring fishing clubs:
Milwaukee County
Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen & Milwaukee Casting Club
McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland, hosted by Southside Sportsmen Club
Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd., hosted by Okauchee Fishing club
Scout Lake, 5902 W. Loomis Rd., (wheelchair accessible) hosted by Walleyes Unlimited
Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave., hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club
Waukesha County
Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, Townline Rd. (1/2 mile north of Good Hope Rd., Menomonee Falls), hosted by Badger Fishermen's League
Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd., hosted by Wern Valley Sportsman's Club
Read more here: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3480
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matt Coffaro, DNR urban fish biologist, (414) 263-8614
NEWS #2 - DNR spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearing questionnaire available online
MADISON - The complete questionnaire for proposed changes to Wisconsin fish and wildlife rules that will be reviewed at the 2015 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spring rules hearings is now available online.
On Monday, April 13, 2015, there will be 72 public hearings [PDF], one in each county where individuals interested in natural resources management have an opportunity to provide their input by non-binding vote and testimony on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin.
The questions cover a broad array of statewide and local proposed rules changes for state hunting, trapping and fishing rules, as well as advisory questions from the state Natural Resources Board and Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
County residents have the option to run for a seat on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, or elect other delegates from their county to represent their county views regarding natural resources on the Conservation Congress. Also, individuals have the opportunity to bring forth new conservation issues of a statewide nature to the attention of the Conservation Congress through the citizen resolution process.
People interested in attending the hearings are encouraged to review the questionnaire on line.
The fisheries questions relate to season, bag limit, and length limit regulations, including:
expanding inland trout seasons and reducing the number of special regulations;
changing panfish bag limits on 100 lakes to improve panfish average size; and
removing or modifying dates and boundaries on 51 fish refuges.
Wildlife questions include:
expanding the areas where waterfowl hunting;
increasing the limit on the number of small game animals a person is allowed to possess;
establish a 9 a.m. opening time on the first day of the pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, and southern rabbit seasons; and
modifying the spring wild turkey hunting season opening date, among other rule changes.
Meeting results, along with written comments on the evening's questions and DNR recommendations are used to advise the state Natural Resources Board.
Votes are non-binding and are presented to the Natural Resources Board as advisory. The 2015 spring rules hearing questionnaire [PDF] is available by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov for keywords "Spring Hearings."
Read more here: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/Weekly/Article/?id=3211
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kari Lee-Zimmerman, DNR congress liaison, (608) 266-0580
Bill Cosh, DNR spokesperson, (608) 267-2773
