Everyone on the ice. (Photo: E. Leis)

FUMFS member, Chuck Synder, helps a young angler with his catch. (Photo: S. Bauer, 2/7/09)

A young angler discovers the joys of ice fishing. (Photo: S. Bauer, 2/7/09)

On a warm sunny day in February, young anglers were given the opportunity to ice fish at unexpected location, a hatchery pond.  Genoa National Fish Hatchery (USFWS) graciously hosted the third annual Friends of the Upper Mississippi Fisheries Services (FUMFS) kids’ ice fishing clinic.  Children and their families in attendance of the FUMFS event were allowed to ice fish for rainbow trout.  The annual event is held to give children and their families an opportunity to ice fish with hands on experience and guidance.  Participants were provided poles and bait by a variety of United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) offices.  A conservation officer from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR) and members of La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (USFWS), Genoa National Fish Hatchery, La Crosse Fish Health Center (USFWS), and Winona District Refuge (USFWS) assisted throughout the event by providing man power and equipment.

The weather for the event couldn’t have been more perfect for the 175 children and their families in attendance.  The young anglers were very successful and jubilant about catching the trout.  The event concluded with hotdogs and hot chocolate in the tent provided by volunteers and USFWS employees.  Overall the event was successful with many USFWS offices and volunteers working together to provide families an opportunity to get outside together.