WI DNR - Angler Education - Clinics and Learning Opportunities Update
Fishing Wisconsin - Angler & aquatic educationFree Fishing Weekend - January 18-19, 2014
Bundle up and get out there for Wisconsin's Winter Free Fishing Weekend, January 18 - 19, 2014.Residents and nonresidents are welcome!
Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp on Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun!
Host a Free Fishing Weekend event!
Just fill out and return this Winter Free Fishing Weekend Planning Form [PDF] by December 17, 2013 and you'll be good to go! Details are on the form. Remember to plan for adults who may have missed the fishing boat as kids! We’ll post your events as we learn of them.
Attend a Free Fishing Weekend Event
Organizations are busy planning clinics and activities for a fun weekend. Here are the ones we know about, so far - check back often for updates.
| Location: | Glen Loch Flowage, Chippewa Falls | |
|---|---|---|
| Event: | Family and Friends Fishing - Adults welcome! | |
| Date: | Saturday, January 18, 2014 | |
| Time: | Noon to 4 p.m. | |
| Place: | Meet at the boat landing off of Jefferson Avenue/Highway 124. The flowage is known as the "reservior," locally and is shown as a "lake" on maps. Don't worry, you'll find it. | |
| Sponsors: | Chippewa Valley Family YMCA | |
| Description: | Bundle up to try your hand at ice fishing. There will not be shanties or shelters, so dress for winter in Wisconsin. Some gear and bait provided. Adults welcome! | |
| Contact: | Kyle Beach, Aquatic and Youth Coordinator, YMCA 715-723-2201, Ext. 116. | |
Need fishing gear?
No ice fishing gear? No problem. We have ice fishing tip-ups and jigging rods you can borrow at many state parks and DNR offices. You will need to either use your own ice auger, claim an abandoned hole, or better yet -- make friends with the anglers next to you and get them to drill you a hole or let you borrow their auger. Check out the map, [exit DNR] to see where DNR Ice Fishing Tackle Loaner sites are located. Call the DNR staffer listed for each site to find out what specific equipment is available and to arrange to pick it up and use it.
Get a license
New to fishing, but want to make it a habit after Free Fishing Weekend? Try our "First-time buyer"resident license for only $5. Discounts for non-residents too!
Here is more information about purchasing a fishing license so you'll be ready to fish for the rest of the year!
Flag up!
For additional ice fishing information, check out ice fishing in Wisconsin.