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 24^th 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

Ask a friend to go fishing

Want to learn how to fish? Consider asking a friend for help.

“Ask another angler and they’ll likely take you fishing,” said Mike Kurre, mentoring coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “The number one thing is to ask. Fishing with someone else can simply be more fun.”

To start, anglers might not need to buy gear or a license because in most cases, Minnesotans don’t need a license to fish in Minnesota state parks and fishing kits can be checked out through a free loaner program. For locations, see www.mndnr.gov/state_parks/loaner.

Classes for kids and adults are listed on the DNR Take a Kid Fishing page at www.mndnr.gov/takeakidgfishing. They include:

• I Can Fish! Classes led by a naturalist. Discover what it takes to start fishing. Rods, reels and bait provided.

• I Can Trout Fish! Classes provide fishing gear. License requirements are waived. Learn about trout, the food they eat, and how to catch and release trout.

• Fly fishing classes introduce the fundamentals, including how to cast or cast more accurately.

Classes are scheduled from Sunday, May 25, to Saturday, Aug. 30.

30th Annual Fishing Clinics – It’s Free!

The 30th Annual Fishing Clinics are scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2014. Make your plans now to attend.

Kids’ Fishing Clinic Saturday April 12th, 2014

Make your plans now to attend.

Angler & aquatic education

Event  8th Annual Shue''s Pond Family Fishing

Location  Hayward WI

Place   Shue's Pond

Date  June 20-21, 2014 (Friday-Saturday)

Time  Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Join us during Musky Fest!

• Free admission
• Assisted fishing
• Impromptu fishing instruction from certified angler mentors
• Bait, tackle and rod/reel provided
• Make a lure
• Paint your own fish
• Kids can photograph their catch for entry into the Lions Club fishing contest
• This is a must-see educational event that is just plain FUN. Just a one-block walk from Musky Fest festivities on Main Street.

Audience
Kids of all ages! The very young must be chaperoned.

Sponsors
Angler Bill's, Wisconsin DNR - Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Education, City of Hayward, and numerous other land/watershed partnerships. Park, picnic facilities, and playground provided by City of Hayward.

Weekly Fishing Tip: Techniques to target trout through the ice

Many anglers look forward to the opportunity to target trout – and not just on April’s opening day! Trout fishing through the ice can be quite fun, if you use the proper techniques. Consider the following….

Tip-Ups

Certain species of trout, particularly brown trout, really gravitate to tip-ups as they linger in shallower water. Consider your depth if you use this type of angling.

Jigging

Lake trout and brown trout can easily be attracted by jigging with a spoon. For lake trout use a piece of smelt or sucker as your bait. For brown trout use the head of a minnow.

Don’t want to sit on the ice looking for trout? Then gear up for the open water season! Check out lots of information about Michigan’s trout species online.

This tip was adapted from Michigan Outdoor News.

Photos from the Kids Fishing Clinics 2014 #4

The Fourth batch of photos here was also supplied to us by: Brad Miller who from Walleyes Unlimited USA. Thanks again Brad and all those involved for sharing these photos with us.

Judging by the smiles on the faces and the size of some of these fish, it appears to have a very successful outing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos from the Kids Fishing Clinics 2014 #3

The third batch of photos was  supplied to us by: Brad Miller who also represents Walleyes Unlimited USA. Thanks Brad for sharing the photos with us.

 

 

 

 

Look at the size of that Perch!

 

Photos from the Kids Fishing Clinics 2014 #2

This second batch of photos was also supplied to us by: Brian Boelter from Walleyes Unlimited USA. Thanks Brian for all the great photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on photos to enlarge

23rd annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics set for Saturday, Feb. 8

MILWAUKEE - Kids 15-years-old and younger can discover the fun of ice fishing at the 23rd annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics on Saturday, Feb.8, at park ponds and lagoons in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

The free clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants receive instruction on the proper use of equipment and techniques, knot tying, safety and much more. The clinics last 45 minutes and begin every hour on the hour starting at 9 a.m., with the last one starting at 2 p.m. If the weather and ice conditions allow, kids will be able to fish after receiving the classroom instruction.

"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 Matt Coffaro, Department of Natural Resources urban fish biologist. "It's the dedication of volunteers from the local fishing clubs that make it all work."

The clinics represent a cooperative effort by the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee County Parks, the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery, and the Department of Natural Resources.

No pre-registration is necessary for the clinics. Equipment and snacks will be provided and it's all free; just dress warm. As in past years, the classroom instruction will occur regardless of weather and ice conditions on Feb. 8, with the actual ice fishing portion of the clinics dependent on the day's conditions. For more information call the DNR Urban Fishing Hotline at 414- 263-8494 or DNR Urban Fish Biologist Matt Coffaro at 414- 263-8614. The locations for the clinics and the sponsoring fishing clubs follow:

Milwaukee County

Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen & Milwaukee Casting Club

McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland, a wheelchair accessible site, with clinic hosted by Southside Sportsmen Club

McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51st St., a wheelchair accessible site, with clinic hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club

Scout Lake, 5902 W. Loomis Road, a wheelchair accessible site, hosted by Walleyes Unlimited

Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave., hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club

Waukesha County

Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, Townline Road, (1/2 mile north of Good Hope Road, Menomonee Falls), hosted by Badger Fishermen's League

Playing on Water

Click on poster to enlarge