Kids Fishing Clinics: Saturday April 11

From the DNR

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Young anglers can receive free instruction at 31st Annual Kids' Fishing Clinics

By Southeast Region April 6, 2015

Contact(s): Matt Coffaro, statewide urban fisheries biologist, 414-263-8614

MILWAUKEE - Kids 15 years and younger can mark the arrival of spring by attending free fishing clinics on Saturday, April 11, at several lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha counties. Clinics will be held every hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last clinic starting at 2 p.m. 

Members of local fishing clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules and fish identification. The clinics represent a cooperative effort by the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha County Parks System, Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery and the Department of Natural Resources.

"Sport fishing groups are the heart and muscle of this program," stated DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "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 anglers are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible.

Adult anglers are reminded that from March 7 through April 24, urban fishing waters are restricted to fishing by juveniles 15- years-old and younger and certain disabled anglers. The rule is designed to give young anglers and persons with disabilities an opportunity to fish close to home before competition from adults limits their chances to catch fish.

Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are intensively and cooperatively managed with a municipality. The 2015 - 2016 fishing regulations list urban waters with these special regulations. Locations for the kids' fishing clinics are as follows:

Milwaukee County

• Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (Hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club)
• Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th 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. 51st 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 Road, 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. (Hosted by Salmon Unlimited)

Washington County

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

Waukesha County

• Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7844 Town Line Rd., Menomonee Falls, one-half mile north of Good Hope Rd.(Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen)
• Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd. (Hosted by Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club)
• Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd., Muskego (Hosted by Women's Hunting and Sporting Association)