Jenny Walker tells kids about the activites of Genoa NFH. - FWS photo

Jenny Walker shows off one of the lake sturgeon that was raised at Genoa NFH. - FWS photo

The Corps of Engineers Blackhawk Park facility holds an annual Kids Fishing Day in August that typically draws participants from the 3 state (Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) area. 

The Genoa National Fish Hatchery assisted our neighbors on the River by staffing an outreach display during the educational portion of the event.  The hatchery brought along an aquarium and displays featuring Upper Mississippi River fish and mussels for over 75 kids and their parents to see, touch, and marvel over. 

Special hits were the live sturgeon, freshwater mussels, and channel catfish.  Kids were broken into 5 separate groups which were each given a 15 minute presentation on fish identification, fish habitat requirements, and fish behavior. 

They were then turned loose to try their luck in the Mighty Mississippi River.  This cooperative effort is a unique opportunity to partner with a federal agency to promote kid activities in nature and provide a conservation message to the next generation of natural resource stewards.