31st Annual Kid’s Fishing Clinics (Free)

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Kids Fishing Clinic Menomonee Park 2015

The temperature was eight degrees and wind gusts up to 40 MPH but that didn’t keep these kids from attending the 24th Annual Kids Ice Fishing Clinics held on Saturday, Feb.14. The Clinics took place in seven area parks in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

There was a total of 163 kids with 75 volunteers from the local fishing clubs that did their best under adverse conditions to teach kids about fishing.

Below are photos from Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, Townline Rd. (1/2 mile north of Good Hope Rd., Menomonee Falls), which was hosted by Badger Fishermen’s League. Thanks to Brenda Rosin-Schaff for providing the pictures.

  

     

  

  

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Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen 21st Annual Fishing Banquet

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

Public hearing set for Lake Superior lake trout emergency rule

ASHLAND, Wis. -- A public hearing on an emergency rule designed to support recovery of lake trout populations in Lake Superior will be held by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on Feb. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Ashland High School.

The public hearing will cover the 2014-15 emergency rule adopted by the Natural Resources Board at its December meeting. The emergency rule was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lake trout fishery in the Apostle Islands area by reducing the daily bag limit from three lake trout to two lake trout of which only one can be 20 to 25 inches in length and the other must be longer than 35 inches. For waters west of Bark Point, regulations for lake trout remain unchanged; three lake trout with a 15 inch minimum length and only one lake trout longer than 25 inches.

Terry Margenau, DNR Lake Superior fisheries supervisor, said the emergency rule was necessary because population assessments over the last six to eight years have indicated that the decline in lake trout abundance is largely due to harvest. Lake trout are capable of living in excess of 40 years and do not reach sexual maturity until they are eight to 10 years of age. Thus, it's critically important that the stock be carefully managed, as the welfare of many stakeholders, including commercial fishers, sport anglers, and a host of associated businesses, depends on a strong lake trout fishery in the Wisconsin waters of Lake Superior.

"The upcoming public hearing provides citizens with the opportunity to offer feedback and continue the dialogue started at a meeting held in early December prior to the Natural Resources board action," Margenau said. The hearing will focus on the need to extend the emergency rule beyond 150 days through early June, to cover the entire lake trout season, which runs through Sept. 30, 2015.

The Feb. 16 public hearing will be held in the auditorium of Ashland High School, 1900 Beaser Ave. A short summary presentation will be followed by an opportunity for citizens to provide oral and written comments. In addition, written comments may be submitted until Feb. 16 to: Terry L. Margenau, Lake Superior fisheries supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 589, 141 S. Third Street Bayfield, WI 54814; or emailing terry.margenau@wisconsin.gov

For more information about the hearing, background on the December public meeting and management of the Lake Superior fishery, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for "Lake Superior fisheries management."

Turning a Water Nuisance Into a Water Cleanser

Water Resources Institute Project Looks at Manganese in the Madison Water System

January 23, 2015

By Marie Zhuikov

If you’ve ever turned on the tap only to have rusty or gray water gush out, you can sympathize with what residents of Madison, Wis., experienced in 2005. Routine flushing of city water mains caused discolored water, which tasted strange and stained laundry in homes and businesses.

The culprits? Dissolved manganese and iron. In a quest to access the safer drinking water in deeper aquifers, the city drilled into water rich in these two elements. When the water mains were flushed during warm months to remove sediment and minerals in the pipes, the action also pushed through gray-black dissolved manganese and rusty-red iron.

Although these elements are more a nuisance than a health hazard, two University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are concentrating on manganese because, ironically, it might be useful in cleaning water, including removing bisphenol A. With funding from the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute, assistant professors Matthew Ginder-Vogel and Christina Remucal are looking at the source of manganese in the aquifer rocks and how the manganese that ends up dissolved in the water reacts with other compounds, especially pollutants.

“Madison has set up filters to remove manganese from the water,” said Ginder-Vogel. “This generates reactive solids that could be used in beneficial ways. Right now, the solids are sent through the sanitary sewer system or disposed of as solid waste. We had the idea of looking at whether the manganese collected on the filters can be beneficially reused down the line, perhaps for stormwater treatment.”

Madison does not get its drinking water from the iconic lakes Mendota or Monona, but from groundwater more than 320 feet down in the Mt. Simon Aquifer. This aquifer lies beneath many communities in Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In the Madison area, the rocks that compose the aquifer contain manganese.                       

Manganese is natural and occurs in air, soil and water. Although it is an essential nutrient at low doses, long-term exposure to high doses can harm the nervous system of people and animals, potentially causing tremors, lethargy and mental disturbances.

After the discoloration episodes in 2005, four out of 24 wells in Madison were found to produce water that exceeded recommended levels of manganese. In response, the city installed filters and employed a different method of flushing problematic water mains, called “unidirectional flushing,” which minimizes the water discoloration reaching homes and business.

The researchers and their two graduate students are six months into their two-year project. They spent time at manganese-rich city well 29 in eastern Madison, collecting manganese solids from its filters. They also followed water utility workers around in a van full of five-gallon buckets and collected solids from their water main flushing activities, Ginder-Vogel said.

Remucal said results look promising. “We’ve found that the manganese solids are capable of degrading organic pollutants. We’ve been working on bisphenol A, a contaminant that’s found in plastic.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has “some concern” for bisphenol A’s effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children at current exposure levels. Also of concern is the chemical’s ability to induce earlier puberty in children.

For Remucal and Ginder-Vogel, the project is one made in academic heaven. “Christina is a specialist in organic contaminant transformation and has done some minerals surface work. I’m a specialist in mineral surface chemistry. It just seemed like a great way to collaborate on an interesting and applicable problem,” Ginder-Vogel said.

The two hope their project will provide guidance to regulators and water quality managers on the sources and reactivity of manganese in the Madison water distribution system. It could also provide information for other water utilities that face elevated manganese. And it just may be a great way to turn a water nuisance into a water cleanser.

KIDS FISHING CLINIC - MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2014

Brenda Rosin Schaff called the meeting to order at approximately 6:15 PM

Attendance:

2/14/15 Ice Clinic Representatives Present:

DNR - Matt Coffaro, Tony Young

Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery – Dave Mueller

Waukesha County Parks -

1.) Brown Deer Park/Okauchee Fishing Club - Jim

2.) Fox Brook Park/Wern Valley Sportsman's Club -

3.) Humboldt Park/Great Lakes Sport Fishermen - Rich Hehn, Ron & Dave Kwas

Humboldt Park/Milwaukee Casting Club – Ron Gray

4.) Menomonee Park/Badger Fisherman's League – Brenda Rosin-Schaff

5.) McCarty Park - Southside Sportsmen Club

6.) Scout Lake/Walleyes Unlimited -

7.) Wilson Park/Wisconsin Fishing Club -Cliff & Ray

4/11/15 Spring Clinic Representatives Present:

DNR -

Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery –

Waukesha County Parks -

1.) Brown Deer Park/Okauchee Fishing Club -

2.) Fox Brook Park/Wern Valley Sportsman's Club -

3.) Greenfield Park/Great Lakes Sport Fishermen

Greenfield Park/Milwaukee Casting Club-

4.) Humboldt Park/Lunkers-

5.) Menomonee Park/WI House Outdoors -

6.) McCarty Park - Southside Sportsmen Club

McCarty Park - Sunnyside Rod & Gun Club

7.) McGovern Park - Badger Fisherman's League -

8.) Mitchell Park – Bayview Rod & Gun Club -

9.) Muskego Park – Women's Hunting & Sporting Association -

10.) Oak Creek Parkway – Friends of Oak Creek Mill Pond

11.) Quarry Lake Park – Salmon Unlimited

12.) Sandy Knoll Park – Trout Unlimited S.E. Chapter

Sandy Knoll Park – West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers -

13.) Scout Lake/Walleyes Unlimited -

14.) Sheridan Park – South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing & Hunting Club

15.) Washington Park – EB Garner's Fishing Club

16.) Wilson Park/Wisconsin Fishing Club -

DNR Updates:

If you need to use the DNR loaner jig rods for your ice clinic, please let Matt at know asap so he can bring them to the next meeting.

Matt expressed a need for a few volunteers for the Sport Show Casting Demonstration. Brenda & Ron have volunteered.

Mentor Background Form - Anyone that has not filled out the Mentor Background Check should complete Form 4100-217 Rev. 2 of 11

Tony Young, Warden in Ozaukee County has expressed interest in hosting another free fishing clinic in June. Last year's event was a success despite the lack of fish caught. Anyone interested in volunteering or for more information, contact him at 262-993-0078

Locavore Anglers Course – Please help promote this series sponsored by the DNR and the Urban Ecology Center. If you can volunteer, contact Theresa Stabo as soon as possible and if you any of any adult interested in learning how to fish, have them sign up on the Urban Ecology website.

Hatchery Updates: Still no well, but the good news it will be covered by insurance. Water Well Solutions will attempt to get the well that Lake Northwest originally installed, in the hope of having water possibly by February. Dave committed to providing demonstration fish even if he has to fish for them! Thanks for his dedication and service. If yo9ur club needs demonstration fish contact Dave Mueller on his cell at 414-315-2825

Park Updates:

Special thanks to the Wern Valley Sportsman's Club who has expressed interest in hosting an Ice Fishing Clinic at Fox Brook Park. They currently host the Spring Fishing Clinic at the same location and are familiar with the park & hosting a clinic. There was concern for whether or not they would have enough volunteers and if the park would be available. Ron will contact Holly at 262-364-8509 to confirm the park is available. If available, Matt will add them to the flyer.

Other Updates:

Okauchee Fishing Club has very kindly offered to fix all of the rods & reels that are part of the Rod Loaner Program. Contact Cliff if you can offer additional help if needed and for a date.

Brenda is attempting to get student chef volunteers from MATC's Culinary Program to help with the cleaning & cooking demonstrations.

Rubber Fish Prints - Linda Batzler from McGovern Park Senior Center was contacted regarding free t-shirts and the rubber fish prints used previously at the State Fair DNR area that have been discontinued. If anyone is interested in adding fish printing on T-Shirts or other items, the fish & paints may be loaned out through the Theresa Stabo & Brenda Rosin-Schaff.

Backyard Bass – If any clubs need to purchase additional plastic fish for their casting stations, they can be ordered through Ironwood Pacific Backyard Bass at 1-800-261-1330. The cost is $36/dozen for mixed colors & shapes.

Upcoming Meetings & Clinic dates:

Jan 29, 2015 – Meeting at McCarty 7:00 p.m. - Distribute Materials &Equipment

Feb 14, 2015 - Ice Clinics at Parks 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Participating Parks: Humboldt, McCarty, Brown Deer, South Lake, Wilson, Menomonee, Fox Brook

Feb 19, 2015 – Wrap up for Ice Clinic/Return Equipment and Preparation for Spring Clinic

Mar 26, 2015 - Meeting at McCarty 7:00 p.m. - Distribute Materials &Equipment

Apr 11, 2015 - Spring Clinics at Parks 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Participating Parks (to Be Confirmed)

Apr 16, 2015 – Wrap up for Spring Clinic/ Return Equipment 6:00 p.m. at Wildcat Creek Farm (Brenda's) 3825 S. 124th St., New Berlin, WI 53228. Please RSVP if you plan on attending and if you are bringing a guest or other member of your club.

Other Related Events:

Jan 28, 2015 - Locavore Anglers Course/Clinic 6-8p.m. Urban Ecology Center

Feb 7, 2015 - Locavore Anglers Course/Fishing Experience 1:30-5 p.m. Washington Park

Feb 11, 2015 - Locavore Anglers Course/Culinary Experience 6-8 p.m.

April 18, 215 - Locavore Anglers Course/ Fishing Experience & Shore Lunch w/Chef 9 am – 1:30 p.m. Location TBD

March 4-8, 2015 – Sport Show at State Fair Park

June 6, 2015 – Free Fishing Clinic at Puckets contact Tony Young at 262-993-0078

Aug 22, 2015 - Fishing Has No Bounds/Great Lakes Fish Chapter contact Dave Kwas at 262-853-0072

Ron Gray, Secretary