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Fishing
Days
The La Crosse
Fishery Resources Office (FRO) is busy every year with at
least six different fishing activities. Whether it's 8 degrees
or 80, you'll find the FRO staff out on the rivers and lakes
helping eager anglers.
 In
early March, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife
and Fish Refuge, Winona District Office, in Winona, MN hosts
an Ice Fishing Day on Winona Lake. La Crosse FRO and Refuge
employees teach the first time anglers
how to safely ice fish and how to identify their catch. Refuge
law enforcement officers help the children understand laws.
The children also get a tasty lunch before heading out on
the frozen lake to catch fish.
 The Tomah Veterans
Administration (VA) Hospital annually hosts a Fishing Day
during the middle of May in which 6th graders from Tomah Middle
School help disabled veterans fish. The La Crosse FRO, La
Crosse Fish Health Center (FHC),Genoa National Fish Hatchery
(NFH), and the local American Legion combine forces to help
measure and weigh fish, show the veterans and 6th graders
fish anatomy, and cook and serve a tasty meal of fish filets.
Over 100 veterans
compete in a fishing contest in which they can win prizes
donated by the American Legion and La Crosse FRO. The Genoa
NFH stocks the VA Hospital's pond with rainbow trout and donates
over 100 pounds of fish to fry.
 The Upper Mississippi
River NWFR Winona District also hosts National Fishing Day
at the end of May, or early June, for first time anglers.
The La Crosse FRO and Refuge employees team up and take the
children fishing in boats on the refuge. Some of the children
are bussed to fish ponds where they can also fish for tasty
trout. USFWS employees will even clean the fish
if the lucky anglers want to take the fish home to eat. After
fishing, the children and their chaperones are treated to
a great meal and fun games donated by the USFWS.
 The Friends
of the Upper Mississippi Fishery Services hosts a fishing
day in mid May or early June on Genoa NFH and an ice fishing
day during the winter. First time anglers play fishing games,
and learn how to catch, filet , and identify fish as well
as ice fishing safety tips. Later the children fish for trout
and panfish, win prizes, and eat a provided lunch.
 Also
in June, the La Crosse FRO attends the Minnesota Valley NWR
Fishing Day near Bloomington, MN and the Necedah NWR Fishing
Day near Necedah, WI. La Crosse FRO often gives electroshocking
demonstrations with their boat.
The point of
contact for this project is:
Scott Yess Scott_Yess@fws.gov
(608) 783-8432
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