From Wisconsin waters to your plate: DNR offers 2016 fishing for dinner program in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- People with little fishing experience will have the opportunity to learn about Wisconsin's fisheries, basic fishing skills, how to find fishable waters near their home and safely prepare their catch for the dinner table, as part of the Fishing for Dinner program.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is co-sponsoring the free, four-session community education classes with the Urban Ecology Center, Hunger Task Force, Outpost Natural Foods and Sea Grant Institute.
"We want to introduce new audiences to sport fishing by tying it to the local foods movement, and you can't get much more local than a fish caught from a nearby body of water," said Theresa Stabo, DNR fisheries outreach coordinator. "We want to encourage people to savor the resource and take advantage of nature's bounty, namely fresh, local, healthy food the fishery produces."
The classes begin with initial sessions on Jan. 27 and Feb 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Urban Ecology Center's Washington Park branch at 1859 N. 40th St. in Milwaukee. A fishing outing with members of the Pike Lake Sportsmen's Club is scheduled for Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pike Lake in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, near Hartford.
The final session is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hunger Task Force kitchen facility, 9000 S. 68th St., in Franklin. Participants at the Feb. 10 session will cook their catch.
People who register for the sessions and have less than two years of fishing experience will not need a fishing license, but must obtain a DNR customer identification number by calling 1-888-936-7463. The classes are free and all gear and supplies are provided. Participants must register for the Milwaukee classes by Jan. 22, so please contact Erick Anderson of the Urban Ecology Center by calling 414-344-5460, or by email ateanderson@urbanecologycenter.org for registration information.
Details about the Milwaukee - area classes and information on a similar class scheduled for Madison, can be found by visiting DNR.wi.gov and searching the phrase "Fishing for Dinner."