Ninety-two children ages 6-12, and their parents, took to the Mississippi River backwater ice on January 26th at Goose Island County Park (Shelby, WI) to try their hand at one of the coolest winter sports around....literally! 

Participants in the Friends of the Mississippi Ice Fishing Day braved the Wisconsin winter weather and got outdoors for at least half a day to learn how to safely and successfully participate in one of the northlands' favorite winter past times. 

The participants were first introduced to an ice fishing safety session and then treated to a Vexilar fish finder demonstration by Scott Gartner, a representative of Bob's Bait and Tackle.  Then the kids were turned loose to try their hand catching fish through the ice. 

Poles and rigs were made available and old ice fishing salts from the Service and the Friends group helped the kids with fishing tips and tackle selection. After a couple dozen panfish and bass were caught, everyone was brought back to the warming tent for a light lunch and hot drinks to warm their hands back up. 

This event is part of a Service’s Children and Nature Initiative, to promote both structured and unstructured time in natural settings, to reconnect the nation's youth to the land and the natural resources the Service protects.  The Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Fishery Services helped sponsor the event.

The Friends' mission is to support responsible use of the Upper Mississippi River and conservation of the Upper Mississippi River as a true national treasure.  It also functions as a support group for the three local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program offices, the LaCrosse Fish Health Center, The LaCrosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery.  These 3 offices support fisheries restoration and conservation activities in the upper Mississippi River drainage and throughout the nation.