Jan. 7 live online chat set with fish biologists and wardens along Mississippi River; Ol' Man River an ice fishing mecca with more than 100 species and fast growth
PRAIRIE du CHIEN - To help ice anglers explore the fantastic fishing found on the 200-plus miles of the Mississippi River bordering Wisconsin, state fish biologists and conservation wardens stationed along Ol' Man River will host a live online chat Jan. 7.
The live chat begins at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 7. To participate, visit dnr.wi.gov, and look for the box on the right to enter the chat, or search the phrase "ask the experts."Or join the conversation on the DNR Facebook page, www.facebook.com/WIDNR, by clicking the "Cover it Live Chat" box on the top of the page.
"The backwaters of the Mississippi River offer spectacular ice fishing opportunities and we're excited to help anglers discover the fun by answering their questions during the online chat Jan. 7," says Pat Short, fisheries biologist stationed in Prairie du Chien.
"The diversity of species is unmatched in the state. From northern to walleye to black crappie, to perch species and channel cats, the Mississippi River has it all, and the fish grow quickly and big because the system is so productive," he says.
Short says the online chat offers anglers a chance to learn about fish populations all along the river, hot fishing spots, baits that are working well, regulations along the river, and the massive habitat projects that have been completed - or are scheduled - to help improve fish and wildlife populations.
Since 1986, more than 18 habitat projects tapping mostly federal dollars and involving multiple federal and state agencies have been completed along Wisconsin waters of the Mississippi, improving more than 33,000 acres of habitat in Wisconsin.
A 2006-2007 statewide mail survey of Wisconsin anglers ranked the Mississippi River the third most popular water, behind Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago.