As the population in the region continues to grow, the potential for adverse impacts on aquatic resources, including habitat will increase. At the same time, demands for responsible, quality recreational fishing experiences will also increase. The Ashland FWCO has a long tradition of providing opportunities for public enjoyment of aquatic resources through recreational fishing, habitat restoration, and education programs.
Objectives:
Work with other Service programs and our partners to enhance recreational fishing opportunities on Service and Tribal lands.
Provide support to States, Tribes, and other partners to identify and meet shared or complimentary recreational fishing and aquatic education and outreach activities.
Experiencing Ice Fishing on Lake Superior
Washburn Wisconsin High School students braved the cold weather and ventured onto the ice covering Lake Superior on January 11, 2008. The students learned about ice fishing and ice safety as was part of Washburn High School’s Life Experiences physical education class. Each student had a chance to drill a hole in the ice, bait and set up a tip-up, and practice jigging with an ice-fishing pole. A few were successful in catching a yellow perch! They were also taught about VHS (Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia) and learned how, as responsible anglers, they can help prevent the introduction and spread of harmful diseases and invasive species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff from the Ashland National Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office and the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge team-taught the class with High School teacher Sheri Collins. This is the third winter that the Service has provided staff to teach this class on Lake Superior. Several students had ice-fished before, but it was a new experience for many of them. The objective of the class is to teach students that fishing is a life-long activity that anyone can participate in, and give them hands-on experience with it. The Service also teaches students in this class about open-water angling in the spring and fall.
