Open Houses At Fish Egg Collection Stations A Chance To See Salmon And Trout Up Close

Open houses at fish egg collection stations a chance to see salmon and trout up close

Contact(s): Jason Meacham, fisheries technician at Root River, 414-382-7924, Jason.Meacham@wisconsin.gov; Andrew Gorniak, fisheries technician at Besadny facility, 920-388-1025, Andrew.Gorniak@wisconsin.gov

Events set for Oct. 6 at Kewaunee and Oct. 13 in Racine

MADISON – See where Lake Michigan trout and salmon get their start and enjoy a variety of family friendly fishing related activities when state fish egg collecting facilities in Kewaunee and Racine hold open houses this October.

The events give fish enthusiasts of all ages a chance to see Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources crews collecting eggs from fish to produce the next generation of Lake Michigan salmon to be raised at state hatcheries and stocked back into the “big pond.”

See where Wisconsin’s Great Lakes trout and salmon begin by attending open houses this October at two DNR egg collection stations along Lake Michigan.Photo credit: DNR

The open houses also offer fun, hands-on learning for fishing skills like fly tying, knot tying and casting, all in beautiful settings along two major tributaries to Lake Michigan.

Come watch us spawn some Chinook salmon, have some fun at all the activities, and then get out there and catch some fish!” says Brad Eggold, Great Lakes District fisheries supervisor. At both facilities, after DNR staff complete their work, fish are returned to the rivers along with other spawning fish, providing good fishing opportunities for shore anglers.

• On Saturday, Oct. 6, enjoy the Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at N3884 Ransom Moore Lane in Kewaunee. Watch salmon egg collection demonstrations, fish print a t-shirt, enjoy fishing displays and activities and guided facility tours. Also enjoy wagon rides provided by the Algoma Kewaunee Great Lakes Sport Fishermen. Food and beverages will be for sale and there’s an opportunity to adopt a sturgeon for river release.
• On Saturday, Oct. 13, enjoy the 10th annual Salmon Spectacular from 9 a.m. to 3 p. m. at the DNR Root River Steelhead Facility in Lincoln Park in Racine, 2200 Domanik Dr. The open house will include guided tours, hands on demonstrations of fish spawning, fish and fishing information stations, interactive fishing rod casting lessons, knot tying, fly tying. DNR staff and volunteers from Salmon Unlimited and Trout Unlimited strongly encourage people of all ages to take part in a great day at a great place along the beautiful Root River.

More information is available on the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, by searchin