The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center’s annual Kid’s Fishing Day was held on June 7, 2008 in Ashland, Wis.  This educational event was well-attended (525 participants… 250 registered in the first hour of the event) and very well-organized and executed.   The event was supported by more than 30 volunteers and 23 sponsors.   Learning stations included knot tying, fly tying, practice casting, catch and release, fish habitat, fishing in the pond, water safety, invasive species/fish disease, Loon Watch, and fish painting (gyotaku).  All went smoothly and safely (there were a lot of hooks out there!).  Feedback from the children, parents and grandparents was overwhelmingly positive and supportive.  The weather was great and everyone had a good time.  This was a truly collaborative effort of the Center partners, non-profit organizations like Trout Unlimited, and many individual volunteers. 

The Whittlesey Creek NWR and U.S. Forest Service are primary organizers.  The Ashland National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office helps during the event.