News
NEWS Protecting Wisconsin’s Fisheries: It’s The Law. By: Kajsa Dalrymple As you’re getting ready to go fishing this season, don’t forget to: As aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to threaten Wisconsin’s waters, muskie anglers should be aware of a recent increase in law enforcement regarding appropriate AIS prevention behaviors. Although many people have heard about the threat of invasive plant species, which affect native plant diversity and degrade muskie habitats, AIS can spread throughout lakes and rivers without us really noticing. This is because many invasive species can be spread by transporting seeds (from plants like Eurasian water milfoil), eggs or larvae (from animals like zebra mussels), or even small organisms (like the spiny water flea) that are very difficult to see. Unfortunately, letting even one of these species into a lake can infect that whole lake and any connecting water systems in the area. Once these species become established in a body of water, it is basically impossible to eradicate them. As a result, hundreds of Wisconsin lakes and rivers have been infested with invasive species like Eurasian water milfoil, curly leaf pondweed and rusty crayfish. Because of this, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has employed dozens of water guards, wardens, and volunteers to help encourage boaters and anglers to follow AIS laws and adopt more preventative behaviors. Currently, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is working with fishing clubs to try and spread the word about AIS. The UW program is focused on promoting awareness about AIS among Wisconsin anglers, by starting with the men and women who use Wisconsin waters the most. According to Professor Bret Shaw from the Department of Life Science Communication at the UW-Madison, “Fishing clubs are important partners in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species because they are the people who are most aware of the problem and also witness the damage that they can cause.” How can you help? First, it is important to follow the rules regarding AIS in Wisconsin. By following these rules, we can set a good example for other anglers who may not be aware of AIS and help avoid getting a citation this fishing season. Next, keep topics like aquatic invasive species on the agenda of your fishing clubs. By staying up-to-date with current threats to Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers, we can all help protect our waters and fisheries. For more information about the UW-Madison program, please contact Bret Shaw by email at
Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment;
Remove all attached plants and animals;
Drain all water from boats, vehicles, and equipment;
Never move plants or live fish away from a water body.
1) Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment.
2) Remove all attached plants and animals.
3) Drain all water from boats, vehicles, and equipment.
4) Never move plants or live fish away from a waterbody.
5) Buy minnows from a WI bait dealer.
Wisconsin's New "No-Wake" Law
Wisconsin has a new "No-Wake" law which requires all boats within 100 feet of shore to operate at a "no-wake" speed only. Details are on the Wisconsin DNR website: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp?id=1417
Take a Kid Fishing Card
The Headwaters Chapter of Muskies Inc. has a program to get kids to go fishing. It involves giving kids a card provided by the Chapter. Each time a kids goes fishing with a different adult, the adult initials the card. Once the card is filled up, it is turned into a director to get recognition and/or a prize.Contact Tom White to get some Take a Kid Fishing cards to distribute. Email: jcdltbh@nnex.com
Notes from the Secretary
Our Headwaters Chapter is the second larges Chapter with 423 members. While we have stocked over 450,000.00 OF Muskies in our area lakes, at this time we can only stock Muskies in a few area seepage lakes that we consider too small. All other lakes in our area are in the Wisconsin Muskellunge Brood Stock Management Plan that are closed to stocking.
We are the largest Non Profit Organization in this area.
Our Current Budget is more than $93,000.00
Our budget over the last 12 years has infused more than $900,000.00 into this area.
We have 3 major fund raisers
1.
2. Spring Awards Banquet into our 30th year
3. Spring Classic Tournament. In its 29th year
All monies made from our fund raisers are used for local grants and services.
We provide yearly grants and services to the area in dock and landing projects.
On our Eagle River Chain we have paid for and installed Braywood’s landing and pier. Eagle
Contribute $5,000.00 yearly to Vilas ($2,500.00 and
Contributed more than $4,000.00 to Eagle River Chain of Lakes for Milfoil treatment.
Contributed $1,000.00 for the Handicapped fishing pier on star
Installed $1,100.00 roll in pier at
With our Commitment to our Youth, we contribute to, and help man these yearly programs:
$1,000.00 Headwater Chapter M.I. Steven Bassler Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program(Provided yearly to an area youth continuing their education in a Conservation field)$20.00 ea Provide Free Youth Muskies Inc membership to area youths
$200.00 Boaters safety Classes
$500.00 Conover Kids Day
$500.00
$500.00
$200.00 Kids Fishing Tips
$500.00 Home Show Trout Pond
$500.00 Fishing Has No Boundaries
Sponsor rod building class for Sugar Camp school class
Sponsor release trophies for the Vilas County Musky Marathon
In addition to many other worthy organizations or projects.
Collect food at our Spring Awards Banquet for Vilas County Food Pantry
$500.00 2008
$300.00 2009 Eagle River Business Association (Sponsorship-local artist will make a 3 foot eagle perched on a 2 foot rock, that will be viewed until the end of August and then be raffled off with proceeds going to Vilas County Food Pantry).
Yearly Area Advertisements:
$3,900.00 Know the Difference Lighted billboard sign on Hwy 45 by Antigo, WI.
$500.00 Area Newspaper, Tournament and Membership Ad.
$400.00 Area Fishing Magazine, Tournament and Membership Ad.
Place Know the Difference signs at boat landings in Vilas and
Membership Contests:
We are the second largest Chapter in Muskies Inc., with 423 members in December 2008 and only 28 members short of the largest Chapter Twin Cities who were at 451 members. We run annual contest to keep our membership consistent and with hopes of being #1.
Drawings each year to win one of three 8’ Muskies Innovations Rods and an Abu Garica Musky Reel.
One for new members
One for sponsors of new members
One for members who enter the fish releases.
Our year starts off with our Christmas Party the 1st Saturday in January. It popularity has us growing each year with 85 attending this year.
Our first club outing is opening day and have numerous outing during the summer. We have an annual
Our Chapter is on an upwardly mobile course to grow, prosper and share our resources.
These are some of the activites and accomphlishments that Headwaters Chapter has been able to achieve.
Secretary
Glenn Matula
