$100,000 awarded for Citizen Monitoring Projects

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank today announced the 2009 Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Program awards, providing $100,000 to help fund 22 high-priority natural resource monitoring projects conducted by citizen groups across the state. For the $100,000 awarded by the DNR this year, citizen groups will invest an estimated $188,600 in volunteer time and $98,500 in cash from other sources for an effort totaling $387,100.

“Wisconsin has been an international leader in environmental stewardship for decades, and citizen-based monitoring has a long history here,” Frank said. “It is important to recognize the valuable contributions these programs make to the conservation of Wisconsin’s natural resources and support their efforts. These projects help engage Wisconsin students and citizens in the proactive conservation of our vital natural resources,”

Through the Citizen-Based Monitoring Partnership Program, the Department of Natural Resources works with community and school groups, conservation organizations and other agencies to gather critical information on plants, animals, water and other natural resources. Projects are selected through a competitive review process with projects eligible to receive up to $4,999 in funding per year. Since 2004 the Partnership Program has helped fund 114 high priority natural resource monitoring projects statewide.

One of the selected projects, the Eau Claire County Forest Barrens Inventory, will receive $4,980 in funding and the project’s sponsors, Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center and Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Department, will contribute $6,400 in cash and 300 volunteer hours worth another $6,000.

More information on Wisconsin’s citizen-based monitoring program is available on the Wisconsin Citizen Based Monitoring Web site [cbm.wiatri.net] (exit DNR).

The 22 projects and sponsoring organizations awarded Partnership Program funding for the 2010 fiscal year are:

• Volunteer Carnivore Tracking Master Tracker and Training Program – Timber Wolf Alliance ($4,999).
• Middle and Lower Sugar River Citizen Monitoring Program Development – Upper Sugar River Watershed Association ($4,890).
• Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring on Rusk County Lakes – Rusk County Waters Alliance ($1,569).
• Monitoring Lake Level Trends in Northeastern Wisconsin – North Lakeland Discover Center ($4,999).
• Iron County American Marten Monitoring – Expanding a School and Community-Based Research Project - North Lakeland Discover Center ($4,999).
• Expanding on a Landowner Monitoring Strategy for Native Biodiversity in Southwest Wisconsin – Blue Mounds Area Project ($3,445).
• Kickapoo River Watershed Extended Water Quality Monitoring Program- Valley Stewardship Network ($4,500).
• Monitoring Protocols for Landowners – Development of a Monitoring Handbook of Tiered Skill-Level Techniques, Protocols and Data Collection – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ($4,999).
• Piloting a Landowner Monitoring Strategy of Indicator Species for Habitat Health in the Lower Kickapoo River – Kickapoo Initiative ($3,900).
• Third Annual Kirtland’s Warbler Census in Wisconsin – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ($4,818).
• Project RED (Riverine Early Detectors) – River Alliance of Wisconsin ($4,999).
• Citizen-Based Monitoring Field Practicum & Curriculum: Flambeau Mine Biodiversity Assessment – Bruce High School, Rusk County, Wisconsin ($4,999).
• Aquatic Macrophyte Surveys in Rivers of the Upper St. Croix Watershed: Working to Identify and Limit the Spread of Eurasian Water – Grantsburg High School, Burnett County, Wisconsin ($4,998).
• Citizen sampling to confirm, quantify and identify sources of E. coli pollution in the Bad River Watersheds – Bad River Watershed Association ($4,990).
• Implementing a Statewide Red-shouldered Hawk Survey in Wisconsin - Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ($4,999).
• Monitoring Kilbourn Creek: A Service-Learning Program at Indian Trail Academy – Indian Trail Academy, Kenosha Unified School District ($3,992).
• Monitoring Phosphate in the Creeks Feeding Little Sturgeon Bay – Little Sturgeon Area Property Owners Association ($528).
• Eau Claire County Forest Barrens Inventory – Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center and Eau Claire County Parks and Forest Department ($4,980).
• Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group: A Partnership for Action – Tainter and Menomin Lake Improvement Association ($4,999).
• Carnivore and Timber Wolf Population Survey and Training of Friends of Crex Volunteers – Friends of Crex Volunteers and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ($4,150).
• Building a Diverse Audience through Citizen-based Monitoring: A Career Pipeline Approach – Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee ($4,999).
• Expanding Invasive Species Identification in Manitowoc County – Manitowoc County Lake Association & Woodland Dunes Nature Center ($4,950).

Updated fish consumption advice available for 2009

New video, and Hmong, Spanish language guides available

MADISON – Updated fish consumption advice, new materials in Hmong and Spanish, and a new video are now available online to help anglers enjoy eating their catch while limiting their exposure to environmental contaminants.

“Fish are a low-cost meal and are rich in vitamins and minerals, but you need to be aware of the kinds and sizes of fish you eat and where they come from,” says Candy Schrank, the Department of Natural Resources toxicologist who coordinates the fish consumption advisories that DNR and the Department of Health Services update and issue every year.

“Choose wisely: A health guide for eating fish in Wisconsin” will help anglers balance their consumption of store bought and locally caught fish with guidelines on intake of mercury and PCBs, two environmental contaminants that accumulate in fish across the country and can cause health problems for people who eat too many fish with high contaminant levels.

“People who aren’t familiar with the advice should read our “Choose wisely” pamphlet carefully, and those who are should see if their favorite fishing spot is on a list of waters with higher contaminant levels or if there have been any changes in consumption advice.”

Printed copies of the fish consumption advisory are available at DNR offices as well.

All state waters are covered by the same general consumption advice. On 148 waters, people are advised to further limit their consumption of fish because higher levels of mercury and PCBs have been found in fish from those waters, Schrank says.

More materials available for non-English speaking anglers

Brochures describing the general consumption advice that applies to all waters are now available online on the DHS web pages and also on DNR fish consumption advisory web pages.

Dr. Henry Anderson, chief medical office of the Department of Health Services, said the new materials aim to reach out to Hmong and Spanish (both links exit DNR; PDFs) speaking residents who eat sport fish. Surveys have shown a lower awareness of the fish consumption advisory among those groups.

“We’ve added two new guides in Hmong and Spanish to better reach their anglers and their families with important information about eating the fish they catch,” he says.

Find more information on the Department of Health Services Eating Safe Fish web pages. [dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/fish]

Mostly minor changes in advice for 2009, but four lakes added to special advice list

The 2009 updated fish consumption advisory reflects results from recent fish sampling from 96 waterbodies conducted by the DNR and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and analysis of those results by DNR and DHS toxicologists. Most of the results resulted in minor changes to consumption advice, but four new lakes were added to the list of those with specific consumption advice because of higher levels of mercury. Those lakes are Tug Lake in Lincoln County and Big Fork, Island, and Planting Ground lakes of the Three Lakes Chain in Oneida County.

10 waters and 4 recipes to turn good fishing into good eating

SPOONER - Catch-and-release has caught on so big in the bass fishing world that Wisconsin anglers are only keeping about 5 percent of what they catch.

They kept only 550,000 of the 10 million small mouth and largemouth bass they caught in 2006, according to a mail survey of anglers. In contrast, Wisconsin anglers in the same year kept about 30 percent of the walleye they caught, or 2.2 million of 7 million caught.

In some places in northern Wisconsin, bass are very abundant and can make a tasty meal. Fisheries managers are encouraging harvest on these waters to keep the numbers in balance and to improve bass growth rates. As always, larger bass are less common and anglers should consider releasing them.

“No one should feel bad about harvesting largemouth bass in northwest Wisconsin,” says DNR fisheries biologist Larry Damman, who is stationed in Spooner. “They are our most abundant and under-utilized, naturally reproducing game fish. High minimum size limits coupled with angler catch and release ethic have resulted in many lakes with over abundant, stunted populations where few largemouth ever reach legal size. The biological need is to harvest fish less than the present minimum size limit.”

Here are 10 waters to try in northwestern Wisconsin where harvest is encouraged and there are no minimum length limits. Check the Hook and Line Regulations for 2009-2010 for specific regulations.

Polk County: Balsam, Butternut Lake; Big Round Lake; Half Moon Lake; Pipe Lake and Ward Lake.

Washburn County: Big McKenzie Lake and Middle McKenzie Lake, both of which are actually in the southern bass zone, and Long Lake and Nancy Lake.

For anglers who don’t automatically think of bass as shore lunch, here are some recipes shared by Larry Sperling, editor of Natural Resources magazine, to whet their appetite. Remember to follow the safe eating guidelines to enjoy eating your catch while limiting exposure to environmental contaminants like mercury and PCBs.

STEAMED ASIAN-STYLE BASS

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
Salt
One 1 1/2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated (3 tablespoons)
2 1/2-pounds bass, skin-on, scaled fillets
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 scallion, cut into 2-inch julienne strips

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the peanut oil in a small skillet. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook over high heat, stirring once or twice, until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the ginger.
2. In a large wok, set a steamer or round rack that will sit at least three inches above the bottom. If you don’t have a wok, just place a vegetable steamer in the bottom of a Dutch oven or four-quart pot with a cover. Add 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Set the fish on a heatproof plate that will fit in the wok or pot and sprinkle the onion and ginger on the fish. Set the plate on the rack, cover the wok and steam the fish over moderate heat until just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
3. Drizzle the fish with soy sauce. In a small skillet, warm the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil with the sesame oil over moderately high heat, then pour it over the fish. Sprinkle with the cilantro and scallion and serve.

BLACKENED BASS

INGREDIENTS

Buy commercial blackened fish spice or make your own

Spice mix

1 teaspoon sweet paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Margarine (not butter), meltedFresh bass fillets, about one pound apiece

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix spice mix together and store in a shaker bottle.
2. Dip fish fillets in margarine and refrigerate on waxed paper or in a pan until margarine is congealed.
3. Sprinkle both sides of fish liberally with the spice mix.
4. Heat a cast iron pan outside at least 10 minutes until it is blistering hot. Place one tablespoon margarine in bottom of pan and immediately place fish fillet into pan. The fish will cook so hot and almost steam while it is cooking. Turn once after a few minutes when the fillet is speckled with light dark brown spots of cooked spice. Turn only once, remove and keep warm in oven until all fillets are cooked. Let the pan reheat between batches. Cooking time per side will vary with thickness. Generally allow 1 ½ minutes peer side per inch of thickness.

Note: DO NOT try this inside. The smoke, odors and spattering from the hot cooking surface will stink up any kitchen and is a pain to clean. This is an ideal dish for a campfire.

BASS FISH BALLS OR PATTIES

INGREDIENTS

1 pound cooked bass, cooled and minced
1 small onion minced fine
1/2 fresh hot pepper or 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme, fresh, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Cooking oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook bass by poaching or boiling in a minimal amount of water. Cool, mince with a fork and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mince the fish with a fork. Add the onion, pepper, garlic, thyme and salt and mix. Add minimal water to moisten the fish mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Sprinkle the dry ingredients into the fish mix until it is firm enough to form small balls or flattened patties.
3. Heat a skillet on the stove top and heat about a quarter-inch of oil in the bottom. Form the fish mixture into one-inch balls or half-inch thick patties. Fry small quantities in the hot oil until brown. Transfer browned balls or patties to a serving dish lined with paper towel and serve with lemon slices or tartar sauce.

FRIED BASS

INGREDIENTS

Eight fresh bass fillets, about eight to 12 ounces apiece
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
two eggs
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups crushed crackers, dried potato flakes, seasoned bread crumbs or corn flake crumbs
Two cups cooking oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Set up three pans to dip the fish. In the first pan, mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside. In the second pan, beat eggs and water until frothy. Set aside. In the third pan, place crumb mixture of choice.
2. Dredge fish fillets in the seasoned flour mix on both sides and shake off excess. Dip coated fillet in egg wash on both sides. Lift fillet and let excess liquid drain back into the pan. Dip fillet in final crumb mixture, patting mix on both sides. Set coated fillets aside until ready to cook.
3. Heat oil in pan and cook fish a few fillets at a time until golden brown on each side. Let the oil warm up to frying temperature again between batches Place cooked fish on a platter lined with paper towel and keep warm in a 250 degree oven until all fillets are cooked. Serve with lemon slices, malt vinegar or tartar sauce.

Sperling says that bass are also very tasty just baked in a casserole with a little soup mix on top and served on rice. “Just mix any canned ‘cream of whatever’ soup with about a quarter cup of dry sherry or sauterne wine, pour over seasoned fish fillets and bake in a 350 oven covered for about 40 minutes and uncovered for another 15 minutes

Northern zone bass season opens June 20

MADISON – Anglers heading out for the northern zone bass opener on June 20 should prepare for post-spawn, hungry fish.

“Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will have recently completed spawning in the north. They will likely be found in relatively warm, shallow waters making them accessible to both shore and boat anglers,” says Joe Hennessy, warm water fisheries specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. “Post-spawn bass should feed actively and be willing to strike a variety of lure presentations. Spinners, plastics, and top-water baits are all good choices when fished near available cover this time of year.”

More on bass lures, techniques, and the best time of day to go fishing can be found in a June 2002 Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine article: “Bassin’ Basics.”

Largemouth and smallmouth bass together are the most widely distributed recreational fish in the state -- found in lakes, cool and warm water streams, and large rivers.

Anglers looking for places to fish, can check the DNR Web site for quality bass fishing opportunities in Wisconsin or take a look at the 2009 Fishing Report to see which waters biologists predict will offer good bas fishing this year.

The northern bass season runs from June 20 to March 7, 2010, and most waters have a daily bag limit of five and a minimum length limit of 14 inches. The northern zone is the area north of highways 77, 64 and 29, with Highway 10 as the dividing line. More information can be found in the 2009-2010 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations and the Fishing Wisconsin Web pages.

Spread of key aquatic invasive species slowed in 2007-2008

Anglers’, boaters’ compliance with rules help efforts

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank today announced a new report shows the spread of key aquatic invasive species has slowed in recent years and, thus far, VHS fish disease hasn’t spread. June is designated as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin (exit DNR) and the report indicates efforts to raise awareness about invasive species, and increase efforts to fight their spread, is paying off. The 2007-2008 Aquatic Invasive Species Report is available on the DNR Web site.

“This is great news in the fight against aquatic invasive species,” Frank said. “Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has made strong efforts to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. While our work is paying off by slowing their spread, there is much more work to be done.”

Doyle tripled the funding to fight aquatic invasive species in his last budget, stepping up Wisconsin efforts to address one of the state’s top two water quality challenges.

“There is reason for optimism. The report shows the vast majority of Wisconsin waters are still free from the most problematic species, and we had no new waters with VHS,” Secretary Frank said. “A key reason for our optimism is the willingness of anglers and boaters to take simple step to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.”

In 2007-2008, the years the report covers, there were half as many waters reported with new infestations of zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil as had been reported in the previous two years. Anglers and boaters have taken steps to keep lakes, rivers and fish healthy. Local and state partners have worked to increase awareness of prevention steps to fight the spread of invasive species.

The state is acting on other fronts to curb the flow of invasive species to Wisconsin. The state Natural Resources Board recently approved a new framework for classifying invasive species and providing preventive measures to control their spread. The DNR is currently reviewing public comments to its proposed ballast water discharge permit aimed at reducing the invasive plants, animals and pathogens that arrive in Wisconsin waters.

More than 180 nonnative fish, plants, insects and organisms have entered the Great Lakes since the early 1800s, disrupting the food chain, fouling beaches, clogging infrastructure and costing citizens, industry and businesses more than $200 million a year.

Tom Newbauer on Lake X!!!

Contact: Glenn Furst

Website: ofcfish.com/default.aspx

Tom Newbauer at The Okauchee Fishing Club Date: 5/19/09 Event Type: Fishing Club Event Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S. 92nd St, West Allis, Wi State: Wisconsin Contact: Glenn Furst Contact Email: glenn1st@centurytel.net Details: Tom Newbauer will share his years of fishing knowledge and experience on the Secrets of Bass fishing on Lake X at The Okauchee Fishing Club (ofcfish.com), Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Meeting starts promptly at 7:00PM at the easy to get to Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S 92nd St, West Allis, Wi. (2 blocks south of Greenfield). Guests always welcome for only $4. This is another close to home lake that produces year after year.

Terry's Bar 2009 Walleye Tournament

Contact: Pat Purtell c/o Terry's Bar (920) 235-8280

Terry's Bar 2009 Walleye Tournament Date: 5/16/09 Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree Location: Butte Des Morts State: Wisconsin Contact: Pat Purtell c/o Terry's Bar Contact Email: iabzguy@ntd.net Contact Phone: (920) 235-8280 Details: 2 person teams, 6:00am - 2:00pm $60.00 per boat, - 50 boat limit, Food, Cash, Beer...Team Meeting Wed May 13, 2009 @ 6:00 - Terry's Bar 688 N Main St. Oshkosh, Wi 54901