26th Annual "FREE" Ice Fishing Clinics for Kids

Sponsored by: The Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery, the Waukesha  and Milwaukee County Parks and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS: Free Kids Fishing Tournament June 13, 2015

If you are a member of one of our officiate clubs and/or think you might be interested in participating,  volunteering, and registering your boat to help a kid and their guardian participate, that would be wonderful (they could use more fishing boats and have sponsors and prizes, etc.)

Go to www.wioutdoorfest.com and go towards the bottom for the kids tournament.

Greater Wisconsin Kids Fishing Tournament

Saturday June 13th

The Greater Wisconsin Kids Fishing Tournament is a kids' fishing tournament designed to allow kids the opportunity to share a competitive fishing experience under the guidance of experienced anglers serving as mentors for the day.

Kids get pro style tournament on Lake Winnebago
Guest speaker Dave Csanda
Hosted by Jeff Boutin of Team Outdoors
Fishing classes by Greg Karch

Free Registration

Child Registration Form

Voulnteer Guides Needed

Mentor Registration Form

Registration Requirements

Mentor Requirements

Kids Requirements

For More Information

jeff.boutin@yahoo.com

THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS - 2015 Spring Kids Fishing Clinic Summary

To: Ron Gray,

The 2015 Kids Spring Fishing Clinics were a huge success! When I called around to get the attendance numbers the response I got from everyone was “ everything went well, we had a great time”! For the first time in a long time we had beautiful weather. And for the most part, the fish cooperated too.

Even though we had one less park this year (Kohler Andrae is having theirs on June 6^th  ) ( there will also be clinics on Pucketts and Washington Park that day), we still had almost 700 more kids than last year. This year’s totals were 1,690 kids and 248 volunteers!

Thank you to everyone that made this happen. Special thanks to the tireless dedication of the volunteers from the local fishing clubs that make it all possible.

Ron, please circulate this to all the volunteers. It’s very satisfying when everything comes together.

Thank you

Matt Coffaro
Southern Region Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

31st Annual Kid’s Fishing Clinics (Free)

Click on image to enlarge.

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.

  

     

  

  

Click on photos to enlarge

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

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

MILWAUKEE CASTING CLUB TO HOST KIDS ICE FISHING CLINIC

The Milwaukee Casting Club will be hosting a Kids Ice Fishing Clinic in conjunction with the Waukesha Winter JanBoree days on January 18th, 2015 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Minooka Park in Waukesha.

Click HERE for more information

2015 KIDS FISHING CLINIC

WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF SPORT FISHING ORGANIZATIONS

2015 KIDS FISHING CLINIC

 

Holly Glainyk

Waukesha County Parks Program Specialist

515 West Moreland Blvd Rm. AC230

Waukesha, WI. 53188

Dear Holly:

We have begun the planning for our 2015 Kids Fishing Clinics. We are planning on holding the clinics as listed below at your parks. Flyers for these clinics will be made available to your office as soon as we are able to complete the planning for them. Please contact me as soon as possible if there is any problem in reserving the parks for these dates. .

The Kids Fishing Clinics are being held this year on February 14th, and April 11th. We are planning on conducting the WCSFO Clinics on February 14^th at Menomonee and April 11^th at Muskego, Menomonee, and Foxbrook Parks in Waukesha County. The clinics will start at 9:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM.

The contact people for this years clinics are as follows:

Feb. 14, 2015 Menomonee Park Brenda Rosin Schaff 414-467-6658 Badger Fishermans League

Apr. 11, 2015 Muskego Park Jean Tackes 262-246-1993 Womens Hunting & Sporting Assoc.

Apr. 11, 2015 Menomonee Park Don Camplin 262-392-4183 Wisconsin Houseoutdoorsmen

Apr. 11, 2015 Foxbrook Park Dave Schmitt 262-781-8993 Wern Valley Sportsmen

The instructors teaching the clinics have completed the DNR Angler Certification course and have been certified. I hope as in the past we can have the Park entrance fees waived for the clinics. As you know part of our clinics are class room activities and I would request that an appropriate building for these activities also be reserved at each park.

Thank you again for your support and cooperation in helping to make the Kids Fishing Clinics a success. If you have any questions you can contact me at : # 414-321-0869

Sincerely: Ron Gray, Secretary

Kids Fishing Clinic

 

cc:

Brenda Rosin Schaff, Kids Fishing Clinics Coordinator

Matt Coffaro, DNR Liaison

Ted Lind, WCSFO

John Durben, WCSFO

Jean Tackes, Women’s Hunting & Sporting Assoc.

Douglas Doughty, Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen

Don Camplin, Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen

Dave Schmidt, Wern Valley Sportsmen

Walleyes for Tomorrow–Shawano Chapter Banquet

The Shawano Chapter of Walleyes for Tomorrow will host their Annual Fundraising Banquet this Thursday, August 14 at The Gathering in Shawano. Doors open at 5:30, and dinner starts at 7. Proceeds go to help fund the “Walleye Wagon” hatchery on Shawano Lake, a kid's fishing day with the Pro’s, and  upcoming rock projects for habitat on Shawano Lake. Tickets are $50, and Walleye Bucks are available for $100, which gives you $150 for raffles. So, for $150 you get dinner, your annual WFT membership, and $150 in raffle tickets. Not a bad deal! Message us on Facebook for your tickets. Hope to see everyone there!

Click on poster to enlarge.

4th Annual Kids Fishing Day–Sponsored by Shawano Area Walleyes for Tomorrow

The Shawano Area Walleyes for Tomorrow Chapter sponsored their 4 Annual Kids Fishing Day yesterday. The event involved almost 100 area kids aged 5 to 15. Participants were given a quality Rod and Reel for fishing, a meal ticket for a lunch when they returned, and most important to some – about an hour of fishing with a Pro Fisherman in their boat. (Many of them got to go one on one with a Pro in their boat.)

The area Pro’s – donated their time and boat for the event. It was a great time for all.

Walleyes for Tomorrow photos can be seen at the URL below:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.694572187265004.1073741830.160295267359368&type=3

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.

Young anglers can receive free instruction at 30th Annual Kids' Fishing Clinics

MILWAUKEE - Kids 15 years and younger can mark the arrival of spring by attending free fishing clinics on Saturday, April 12, at several lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties. Clinics will be held every hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last clinic starting at 2 p.m.

"These clinics give kids a chance to learn about fishing, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to find out what fishing is all about," said Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist. "And it's just a great opportunity for kids to get outside away from the electronics, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer."

Members of local fishing clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules and fish identification. In spite of the unseasonably cold spring weather, the fishing instruction portion of the clinics will take place even if there is still ice cover.

"For 30 years, sport fishing groups have been the heart and muscle of this program," Coffaro noted. "They do an outstanding job of teaching kids the basics of fishing and that fishing is fun. None of this works without the dedication of the volunteers."

The Department of Natural Resources and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery will stock fish in the urban waters before the kids' clinics are held. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible.

Adult anglers are reminded that from March 8 through April 25, urban fishing waters are restricted to fishing by juveniles 15- years-old and younger and certain disabled anglers. Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are continuously and cooperatively managed with a municipality. The 2014 - 2015 fishing regulations list urban waters with these special regulations. The rule is designed to give young anglers and anglers with disabilities an opportunity to fish close to home before competition from adults limits their chances to catch fish.

Locations for the April 12 kids' fishing clinics are:

Milwaukee County

Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (Hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club)

Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124 St. (Hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen; Milwaukee Casting Club)

Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave. (Hosted by Lunkers Unlimited)

McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Southside Sportsmen's Club)

McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51 Blvd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Badger Fisherman's League)

Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St. (Hosted by Bay View Rod & Gun Club)

Oak Creek Parkway, Oak Creek Pkwy and Mill Rd. in South Milwaukee (Hosted by Friends of the Oak Creek Millpond)

Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Rd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Walleyes Unlimited, USA)

Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Dr. (Hosted by South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing & Hunting Club)

Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by E.B. Garner's Fishing Club)

Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave. (Hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club)

Racine County

Quarry Lake Park, 3800 Northwestern Ave. in Racine (Hosted by Salmon Unlimited)

Sheboygan County

Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane in Sheboygan (Hosted by Great Lakes Sports Fishermen-Sheboygan County Chapter)

Washington County

Sandy Knoll Park, 2064 Wallace Lake Rd. in West Bend (Hosted by Trout Unlimited Southeast Chapter; West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers)

Waukesha County

No park entrance fee will be charged

Parking passes will be distributed at the event

Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7844 Town Line Rd. in Menomonee Falls, one-half mile north of Good Hope Rd. (Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen)

Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd. in Brookfield (Hosted by Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club)

Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd. in Muskego (Hosted by Women's Hunting and Sporting Association)

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