Genoa Fish Hatchery activity

The Genoa Fish Hatchery will be conducting a three week sturgeon tagging project starting soon. These fish are 5-6 inches long and will be used to do a tracking study after being released into the Mississippi, Missouri, and Red Rivers. There are 30,000 fish, thus the need for volunteers. Call Darla at 689-2605 if interested. You can do any part of the three week venture. Someone I talked to recently said they really enjoyed doing the tagging.

The fumfs.org and mississippiriverwild websites tell the story of what is going on in the US Fish and Wildlife world. Lots of interesting stuff. Lots of volunteer opportunities. Contacts a the Genoa Fish Hatchery are [email protected] and [email protected] Their number is 608-689-2609. The story I got a real kick out of and found inspirational was about how pelicans have learned how to hunt Asian Carp - photos taken in Missouri and Illinois.

The GFH is hosting a fishing outing at Blackhawk Park on June 21st for kids who would not normally get the chance. This is part of the CAST Program. Volunteers mat be needed to get some of these kids out on the river. The GFH has their Kids Fishing Day in May 18th. They are going to cap it at 250 kids, so I would go early. Registration starts at 8:30.

The Genoa Fish Hatchery has their kids fishing day on May 18th. Also, if you look on the fumfs.org website, there is a list of volunteer opportunities during which you can rub shoulders with staff from USFWS doing their fisheries duties.

The KIds Fishing Day was attended by a record 300 or so crowd this morning. Half the planted fish were caught in the first couple hours. Many kids played on the ice, made a new pal or two, and had their pictures taken with their first trout and then took the fish home. The next kids day will be in the month of May.

The registration for the Kids Fishing Day starts at 8:30 on Saturday, the 26th of January.

Genoa Fish Hatchery has its Winter Kids Fishing Derby coming up this January 26th from 8:00-12 or 12:30. Look down about 7 posts to see some pics from last year. It is free, all bait and tackle provided, free lunch on the way out, prizes for some fish, and you get to take your fish home up to a limit. You can bring your own gear if you want. If you have a child, grandchild, a friend's kid, grab them and bring them down to this family oriented event.

The Genoa National Fish Hatchery puts out a newsletter that highlights their activities. A good place to view the newsletter is to go on the fumfs.org site. The fumfs group is the support group for fisheries. The GFH is interested in having volunteers come in. It is an interesting place to chip in and help. Great people. If I didn't have a full time job, I'd hang out there more.

The Kids Fishing Day is this coming Saturday, May 12th. Registration begins at 8:45. Highway 35 South of La Crosse/ Stoddard.

The Genoa Fish Hatchery planted a wild flower mix on some of their property. The problem is now that the garlic mustard is taking over. Volunteers that come down on Friday, April 27th to pull it can keep what they pull. Contact Darla to RSVP. 608-689-2605.

The hatchery has it Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, May 12th. Registration starts at 8:45 and events conclude around. 1. Their is a lunch provided. All free of charge, bait and poles provided if need be. Target age group is 6-12 accompanied by parent.

Volunteers needed for tagging Wolf River strain of Lake Sturgeon on MOnday, April 2nd. Contact Ann at 507-450-3734 if interested.

By visiting the newsletter portion of the fumfs.org website you can read about studies done on the health of local fish. Part of this research is done by using money from fines leveraged against bait companies that were illegally importing minnows from out of state.

About 260 people attended the Fish Hatchery's Kids Ice Fishing Day a couple weekends ago. No bass were taken, but plenty of Brook Trout were caught. Sleigh rides were given during and after the fishing. The Hatchery will be constructing an Interpretative Center similiar to what the Necedah Wildlife Refuge has. This will make the GFH more of a magnet for families. The Onalaska USFWS Resource Center just received a grant for an aquarium for their display area. This should also be a draw for kids.

The Genoa Fish Hatchery has a bunch of clam cages they cleaned in the fall. They now are looking for volunteers to do some repairs on them. Please contact 608-689-2605 if interested. While there you can a tour of this impressive facility.

This coming Saturday, January 28th, is the free Kids Ice Fishing Clinc at the Genoa Fish Hatchery. Registration is at 8:30. It would probably be a good idea to bring a pole or two since the event is popular. Brook Trout and Large mouth Bass. You get a free lunch before leaving.