DNR Weekly News Update for February 13, 2018
Published - February 13, 2018 by the Central Office
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Anglers re-write state fish records in catch and release and by weight categories
MADISON -- Records are made to be broken, and anglers quickly proved this truism in the first year of Wisconsin's new program recognizing catch-and-release state record fish. Traditional state records for fish by weight also fell in 2017, but the bigger story was the multiple first-time records hauled in by two anglers.
"We're happy that some anglers have taken advantage of the new Live Release record fish category. We're expecting a lot more activity in 2018 as more people learn about this exciting opportunity," says Karl Scheidegger, the Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist who coordinates the state record fish programs.
Catch and release state records
Rod Eberly of Appleton secured a spot in state fishing history when his 17.75-inch white bass, caught and released May 8, 2017, was recognized as Wisconsin's first ever catch and release record. His record, however, was short-lived.
SLIDE SHOW | 8 photosAnglers nab catch and release fish records
Kevin Larson of Hudson knocked Eberly off the leader board with the 18-inch white bass he caught and released on Cedar Lake in St. Croix/Polk counties on Aug. 23. Larson edged out Eberly's bass out by a quarter of an inch.
Erika Carter of De Pere became the first female angler to set a new catch and release record in Wisconsin and bested an existing catch and release record. Carter caught and released an 8.75-inch pumpkinseed sunfish on July 4 from Lake Noquebay in Marinette County. Her haul bested the 8.25-inch pumpkinseed sunfish Eric Amenda from Germantown caught and released May 28 from Pleasant Lake in Waushara County.
Other initial records set in 2017 in the catch and release category that were still standing as of Feb. 1, 2018, are:
- Aaron Fuchs of Baraboo wrestled a 47-inch flathead catfish on September 3 from the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. The fish was returned to the water with a ceremonial SPLASH!
- Dennis Wilkerson of Twin Lakes caught and released a 10.5-inch rock bass on June 10 from Powers Lake in Kenosha County.
- Ben Halfen of Prairie du Sac caught and released a 10.5-inch bluegill on June 16 from Reynard Lake in Bayfield County, establishing the first live release state record for bluegill.
- Jacob Holmstrom from Danburry caught and released a 53.0-inch musky on June 24 from a Burnett County lake.
DNR recognizes live release records by length for specific fish species meeting qualifying lengths. The angler is required to submit an official record application and photos showing the fish lying along a ruler or other measuring device, and with the angler, which are reviewed and certified by DNR fish biologists.
Traditional by weight state fish records
Anglers in the traditional state fish record categories landed 11 new records in 2017, with two anglers accounting for six of them. DNR recognizes anglers who have legally taken the largest fish on record by hook and line, as well as those fish that have been taken by alternate methods including spearing or bowfishing.
Independence Day was more than just fireworks for 12-year-old Parker Welch of Merrill, Wis. The sixth-grader set three hook and line records on July 4, 2017 (see sidebar below):
- She established the first-ever record for stonecat with her 9.3 inch, 5.4-ounce fish caught from the Wisconsin River in Lincoln County; established the first-ever shorthead redhorse record with an 18.9-inch, 1 pound 12.1-ounce fish caught from the Prairie River in Lincoln County; and bettered the existing golden redhorse record by about 1/4 pound with a 21-inch, 3-pound, 1.4-ounce fish caught from the Prairie River in Lincoln County.
- Shawn Schmidt of Denmark Wisconsin established a new alternate method (spear-gun) record for yellow perch with a 14-3/4-inch, 8-ounce. fish taken from Lake Michigan in Kenosha County on June 22, 2017.
- Schmidt also broke his own existing alternate method (spear-gun) record with a 16-inch, 2 lbs. 7.7 oz. yellow bullhead taken from Silver Lake in Washington County on June 29, 2017. The fish bettered the record by over 1-1/4 pounds. Schmidt was one of six anglers to set traditional records in the opening months of the 2017-8 fishing season, listed in this June 20, 2017, news release
These records bring his alternate method (spear-gun) record total to seven, for rock bass, bluegill, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, round goby, yellow perch and pumpkinseed.
For more information on state record fish and the process anglers should take if they have caught a fish that might be a state record by weight or under the new live release program, visit dnr.wi.gov and search "record fish."
Anglers who want to pursue state records for less well-known fish species will want to make sure they do not possess endangered and threatened fish species.
12-year-old angler lands three state record fish in one day
In a year when anglers hauled in a stringer full of state record fish, Parker Welch's feat stood alone.
Parker Welch, 12, of Merrill, Wis., set three state fish records on July 4, 2017: for golden redhorse, top; shorthead redhorse, middle; and stonecat, bottom.Photo credit: Contributed
The 12-year-old sixth grader from Merrill, Wis., set three fish records in a single day, spincasting a fish story that begins with the love between a daughter and her father and their appreciation for Wisconsin's lesser known fish: shorthead redhorse; golden redhorse; and stonecat. "It was exciting," says Parker.
Her fish story begins 40 years ago, when her dad was growing on up a resort on Pelican Lake between Rhinelander and Antigo. From the time Alan Welch could walk he was catching fish, and by the time he was his daughter's age he was guiding resort guests on fishing trips and cleaning the fish they caught for money to buy a new bike.
"I caught thousands of walleye and musky," Alan Welch says. "To keep it interesting, I got into fish identification and I'd start going after weird stuff - fish like gar and carp. They are harder to catch because people don't target them and there is no information on them."
When his daughter Parker was a toddler, Welch introduced her to fishing and the two became fishing buddies, a shared bond and commitment to the outdoors that mom Jackie Welch appreciates. Parker became an accomplished angler although the father and daughter mostly focused on lesser known species in surrounding lakes and streams.
Parker enjoys fishing, and continues to make time for it even as she maintains a 4.0 Grade Point Average in school, serves as the wrestling team manager, and shot her first buck this fall.
"I like spending time with my dad," Parker says. "Whatever he's trying to catch I try to catch too."
One day last year her father told her about his idea of trying to set multiple fish records. "I wanted to do it all on the same day so it was hard to beat," he says.
That the pair set out to accomplish the feat on July 4th was coincidental; they knew from fishing those species before that the catching was easier when it was sunny and hadn't rained for a couple of days. Fishing from shore with nightcrawlers, Parker caught the shorthead red horse in the morning on the Prairie River. "At that point, I think we knew we could get all three in a day," Alan says. Parker caught the golden redhorse at noon, and then the pair went home until nighttime, when they went fishing on the Wisconsin River and caught the stonecat, a member of the catfish family whose name reflects its habit of hiding out under stones or logs during the day.
The fishing duo took Parker's catches to a meat market in Wausau to get them weighed. "Most of them had never seen a fish like that. We had some comments, but they were happy for us," Alan Welch says.
The daughter and father fishing duo are not ready to rest on their laurels. They're angling for two records this summer: greater redhorse and longnose sucker.
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Keith Warnke hired as Wisconsin DNR R3 Team Supervisor
MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has named Keith Warnke as the state's new R3Team supervisor.
Keith WarnkePhoto credit: DNR
Warnke will oversee the development and coordination of a specialized team dedicated to recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters, anglers and trappers - a priority within the DNR and conservation agencies nationwide. Warnke will remain in the Madison DNR office, where he has served as the hunting and shooting sports coordinator since 2011. Warnke also guided the state's big game program for seven years. His first full-time job with the DNR included hunter recruitment programs during the 1990s.
Warnke's previous work experience includes common loon research, farmland wildlife research legislative aide and leading the state's upland wildlife program. Warnke graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota.
"As a Wisconsin native, I respect and believe in the state's outdoor traditions and believe these can touch every citizen - either directly or enjoying the outdoors with family and friends," Warnke said. "And that direct connection can be through sustainable natural resources to be enjoyed generation after generation, and eating healthy foods harvested from the state's landscape and waters."
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LEARN TO HUNT: Hunters asked to consider teaching new hunters of all ages
MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Learn to Hunt coordinator says the early winter weeks February and March are ideal times to plan spring turkey Learn to Hunt events for youths, adults and families interested in nature and eating healthy.
Keith Warnke, DNR hunting and shooting sports coordinator, says those planning their own spring hunt outings can be among the most effective mentors for those interested in learning about safe and effective hunting, and its role in conservation and harvesting healthy foods.
"Setting aside time to teach the next generation of hunters is of utmost importance for the future of our wildlife conservation programs and unique hunting culture in Wisconsin." Warnke said.
Warnke says it is common to organize Learn to Hunt events for youth - but another group often is overlooked. Adults and families who have a strong appreciation for Wisconsin's resources, its wild spaces and eating healthy.
"We know that young adults and families living in urban and suburban areas really value sources of local, sustainably-raised protein," Warnke said. "Hunting wild game is a very meaningful way to have a personal connection with your food."
Spring turkey seasons offer an excellent opportunity for novice hunters of all ages to harvest their first animal. A conservation success story, wild turkeys abound in the state and their population continues to grow, in part because of well-managed hunting seasons.
"Whether you grill up your turkey the day of hunt or save it for Thanksgiving," Warnke said, "there's nothing like a healthful, savory meal of wild turkey-and the memory of a spring morning in Wisconsin, with turkeys gobbling at dawn."
For more information on all your Learn to Hunt needs, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword "LTH."