The new proud owner of the biggest fish of the day. - FWS photo

Another happy young fisherman - FWS photo

More than 125 children, ages 6-12, from the tri-state area of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota got their parents going early Saturday morning to attend the 5th annual Kids Fishing Day, at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. 

Sponsored by the cooperative Friends Group of the LaCrosse Fisheries Resource Office, the LaCrosse Fish Health Center and the Genoa hatchery, this event has grown into a local annual attraction, something that keeps the participants up late the night before in eager anticipation. 

After registration, the group was broken up into four parts and treated to separate learning stations.  This year, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources local game warden was on hand to explain how law enforcement assists good fish and game management, as well as the station's own mussel biologist Tony Brady explaining how mussels and fish go together. 

Then a group was amazed with the inner workings of a rainbow trout courtesy of LaCrosse Fish Health Center Director Rick Nelson.  The Take a Kid Fishing Program was then promoted by Dave Erikkson of the LaCrosse Park and Recreation Department. 

After an hour of learning opportunities, the kids were turned loose on a ¾-acre hatchery pond filled with rainbow trout and channel catfish.  Roughly 500 fish were caught in 2 hours, and the newly inaugurated fisher folks brought their catch to Maintenance Mechanic Dan Kumlin, who demonstrated proper cleaning and care of their catch. 

Lunch was served, and prizes were given away, topping off a full and rewarding morning on the water.