Learn to catch, harvest and cook Wisconsin fish through a Fishing for Dinner workshop being held in Superior, Wis., from September 14-16, 2023. The FREE 3-session workshop will cover everything from knot-tying and casting to fish identification and fish cookery. The mix of indoor and outdoor lessons are for people over the age of 15. With over 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 lakes, there are plenty of opportunities to fish in Wisconsin. Registration is limited.
Registration on EventBrite — bit.ly/Fish-on
When: September 14-16, 2023
Sept 14 (Thurs), 5:30-8:30 pm
Sept 15 (Fri), 5:30-8:30 pm
Sept 16 (Sat), 8:30 am-1 pm
Where: Lake Superior Estuarium, 3 Marina Drive, Superior, Wis.
Cost: Free but must have a Wisconsin fishing license to fully participate.
Who: This workshop is being offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Sea Grant with support from the Lake Superior Reserve and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve.
Target audience: Adults without much fishing experience who are positioned to encourage other community members to fish. (15 and older)
Presenters include:
Theresa Stabo, Angler R3 Coordinator, Wisconsin DNR
Sharon Moen, Food-Fish Outreach Coordinator, Wisconsin Sea Grant
Luciana Ranelli, Education Coordinator, Lake Superior Reserve
Paul Piszczek, Fisheries Biologist-Sen, Wisconsin DNR
Ryan LePak, US EPA (mercury/PFAS contaminant expert and avid fisher out of Superior, Wis.)
Agenda:
Day 1 – Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
4:30-5:30 p.m. – Social Hour – Get your bobber on and enjoy some hearty nibbles.
5:30-6 p.m. – Orientation
6-6:30 p.m. – Getting Hooked: Overview of Wisconsin fishing including Anishinaabe fishing history
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Preparing to Fish
Knots
The fish you’re after – fish behavior and identification
Rods and Reels
Tackling the tackle box
Hook, line and lead-free sinkers
Bobbers/indicators – fixed, slip, none
Lures – selection and presentation
Pliers, deliers, stringers and swivels
Bait – selection, presentation and proper disposal
7:30-8 p.m. – The Science and Art of Fishing
Fish habitat and reading the water (where fish lurk; all water is not equal)
Safety issues
Regulations: What to do with your catch – assuming you can keep; regarding moving fish
Invasive species & footwear
Fish handling – catch and release; harvesting
8-8:30 p.m. – Prep for tomorrow: assemble tackle boxes and groups, reflect on workshop so far
Day 2 – Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
4:30-6:30 p.m. – Go Fish! Casting instruction and practice, fish ID game, food and beverages
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Consuming Fish
Fish consumption advisories
Fish parasites
Regulations/reminder – Legal requirements regarding moving fish
Cleaning a fish and fish anatomy
Post-harvest fish handling – harvesting, smoking, freezing, etc.
7:30-8 p.m. – Where to Fish
Public Trust Doctrine
Public access to shore fishing sites
Stream-wading access and what’s allowed
8-8:30 p.m. – Prep for tomorrow: plan a fishing trip
Day 3 – Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, 8:30 am-1 pm
8:30-11 a.m. – Go Fish! Practice your new skills with instructors or on your own. All loaner equipment to be returned by 11:30 a.m.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Fish Cookery
Bonus! Extra fishing instructor training — 1:15-3:30 p.m.