Fishing WisconsinFishing for dinner initiative

Wisconsin waters are teeming with hungry fish. Learn how to land one on your dining table for a tasty, healthy meal, harvested from waters close to home.

Northern pike done to perfection by Chef Patrick McKormick.

Attend a class

Classes are being planned for this winter to teach adults the secrets and rewards of hardwater fishing – knot-tying, gear selection and use, fish identification and preparing your catch for the table.

Madison Area

Dates: A 5-session class [PDF] starts on Monday, January 28, 2019 and ends on the ice on Saturday, February 9.
Locations: Indoor sessions will be held at DNR Headquarters in Fitchburg, 3911 Fish Hatchery Road; Saturday fishing outings on Lake Monona and cooking at a nearby kitchen.
Details: Learn about fishing Madison lakes from DNR and county staff. The Wisconsin Fishing Team from the University of Wisconsin and volunteers will lend a hand and share their expertise.
Cost: $0.00 for the entire series! However, we do ask for a $15.00 commitment deposit to hold your spot. The deposit will be refunded upon your arrival to the first class.
Registration deadline: Submit the refundable deposit with the registration form [PDF] by
January 22, 2019. (We’re kind of old fashioned with our registration.)
Questions? Contact Theresa Stabo, 608-577-6332.
Sound good to you? Then sign up!

We schedule classes in areas where people have expressed an interest and where we have partners in place to host and help lead the sessions. Watch this site for updates on class offerings, dates and locations.

Eat local – fish

The Farm to Fork concept is growing in popularity and suggests a parallel Pond to Platecompanion, whether that “pond” is a stream or a lake – Great, large or small. As far as “food miles” are concerned, most Wisconsinites live within 50 miles of fishable waters that offer many places to catch a healthy and delicious dinner, with a low food-miles score. Sustainability is an important component, so filling the freezer does not fit the model, but savoring that occasional treat from familiar waters does.

Chefs, local foods advocates and community groups have joined us in this project to offer classes. Cleaning and cooking instructions will be part of the mix and we will include information on how to minimize consumption of fish contaminants such as mercury and PCBs.

Sound good to you? Then keep your eyes open and sign up for GovDelivery notifications so you’ll be among the first to know when class registration materials are ready!

Angler recruitment and retention

The Fishing for Dinner Initiative is an angler recruitment and retention program; its primary goal is to lure a new anglers to the water’s edge and encourage them to join us as stewards of Wisconsin’s bountiful fisheries. The focus is on young adults who have an interest in local, sustainably raised food – we hope they will consider the fish they catch as part of a healthy diet.

Mentor an adult beginner

We are also inviting seasoned anglers to mentor young adults (or adults of any age) who may have missed the fishing boat as kids, so lack fishing skills. Mentors will be asked to complete a background check by completing DNR Form 4100-217 [PDF]. Planning is underway for mentor training workshops, so watch this site for workshop notices.