DNR To Host Two Open Houses At Fish
Facilities On Saturday, Oct. 10
The DNR invites the public to attend two free open house events on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility in Kewaunee and the Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Free fishy fun for the whole family! The DNR once again invites the public to attend two free open house events on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility in Kewaunee and the Root River Steelhead Facility in Racine.
Root River Steelhead Facility Open House
The DNR will host an open house on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2200 Domanik Drive, Lincoln Park, Racine. This free, family-friendly event will offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wisconsin’s southernmost Lake Michigan trout and salmon egg collection facility.
Fish enthusiasts of all ages can join one of our guided tours to learn how DNR crews capture fish and why we need to collect trout and salmon eggs to raise in hatcheries for stocking into Lake Michigan. Volunteers from Salmon Unlimited, the Outdoor Heritage Education Center, Milwaukee Great Lakes Sport Fishermen, Southeast Wisconsin Trout Unlimited, and the Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association will be offering fun, hands-on learning experiences through the Touch of the Wild Education Trailer, fly casting clinic, trolling boat display and more.
The Root River Steelhead Facility was built in the early 1990s to help the DNR more effectively manage Lake Michigan’s trout and salmon fishery. Each spring and fall, migrating rainbow trout (steelhead), Chinook and coho salmon enter the streams for their annual spawning ritual.
Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility Open House
Join the DNR on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an open house event at N3884 Ransom Moore Lane in Kewaunee. This free annual event will give attendees an opportunity to watch salmon egg collection demonstrations, enjoy educational displays, presentations and take a guided tour of the facility. The Algoma Kewaunee Great Lakes Sport Fishermen will be on hand to provide wagon rides to the facility from the parking area from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. People of all ages and backgrounds are invited and encouraged to attend.
The Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility is the first step in stocking trout and salmon in Lake Michigan. Returning adult trout and salmon are collected during their spawning run up the Kewaunee River to collect eggs to produce fish for stocking in the following year. Eggs from the facility are taken to other hatcheries to be raised and stocked back into Lake Michigan and its tributaries to support the Great Lakes sport fishery for years to come.
Learn more about these open houses and other upcoming events on the DNR’s Events Calendar.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Root River Steelhead Facility open house
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: Root River Steelhead Facility
2200 Domanik Drive
Racine, WI 53404
What: Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility open house
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility
N3884 Ransom Moore Lane
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Check Before You Burn: Elevated Wildfire Danger This Weekend
Just as the leaves are changing colors on trees across Wisconsin, so too are the colors of the fire danger map. Whether you’re planning a campfire or preparing to burn debris, remember to check fire conditions before you burn!
The lack of rain has created extreme and exceptional drought conditions throughout the entirety of northern Wisconsin. As a result, we are starting to see elevated fire danger and increased wildfire activity in many areas.
In the last week alone, nearly 20 wildfires have occurred, with most of them caused by sparks from hot equipment and downed powerlines. Areas are especially vulnerable to wildfires again in the fall after the leaves have fallen from the trees and the plants and grasses go dormant in preparation for winter.
Heading into the weekend, the forecast is showing warm, dry and windy conditions, all of which increase fire risk. Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of wildfire:
- Before burning any debris piles, obtain proper permits and check the daily burn restrictions before you burn as burning is suspended in a few northeastern Wisconsin counties.
- Sparks from hot equipment can easily ignite a wildfire – operate machinery early in the morning or late in the day to avoid peak burn conditions during the middle of the day. The same goes for campfires – have those in the evening when the winds are calmer and the humidity rises.
- Make sure any recently conducted burns are completely extinguished, as hidden embers can easily escape and start a wildfire even hours later.
The increased fire danger will persist until there is significant precipitation in the form of rain or snow. The DNR will be staffing fire equipment as conditions persist. |
Don’t Miss Wisconsin’s Youth Deer Hunt Oct. 10-11
Help pass Wisconsin’s rich tradition of deer hunting along to the next generation! The 2026 youth deer hunt runs from Saturday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 11.
The youth hunt offers hunters 15 years old and younger the chance to learn hunting techniques and develop a connection to nature at a time when deer are less pressured than during the traditional nine-day gun season. Wisconsin residents and nonresidents may participate in the youth hunt.
Youth hunters, with or without hunter education certification, are eligible to hunt while under the supervision of a mentor. For all hunters younger than 11 years old or hunters between ages 12-15 who have not completed hunter education, the mentor must be at least 18 years old, be a hunter education graduate, hold a current hunting license and always remain within arm’s reach of the youth hunter.
For hunters ages 12-15 who have completed hunter education, the mentor must be at least 18 years old but does not need to be a hunter education graduate or a licensed hunter. The mentor must always be in both visual and voice contact with the youth hunter.
One mentor may not accompany more than two youths at the same time. Be sure to review DNR’s Youth Hunt webpage for full details.
Practice Safe Firearm Handling
The youth hunt is an excellent opportunity to teach and practice safe firearm handling. Remember the rules of TAB-K:
- T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- B – Be certain of your target, what’s before and beyond it.
- K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
Wear Blaze Orange
Any time a firearm deer season is taking place, including the youth deer hunt, all hunters’ clothing above the waist must be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. This requirement applies to archery hunters and small game hunters. Waterfowl hunters are exempt from this rule.
New hunters can celebrate this experience with a first harvest certificate. Follow the instructions on the DNR’s First Harvest Certificate webpage to upload information about the experience. |
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