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This coming Saturday, July 29th, is the 20th Annual Take an Adult Fishing Tournament at the Wilderness Fish and Game store in Sauk City, Wisconsin. This is a very unique event that besides being a family orientated event, contestants can fish anywhere in Wisconsin as long as they are back for the 2:00 pm weigh-in. The official motto for the tournament is; the purpose of this event is to provide a fun activity that promotes healthy lifestyles. For that reason, there is to be no smoking or drinking of alcohol during the event.”
Teams consist of an adult over 18 years and after the 6:00 a.m. rules meeting may fish any Wisconsin waters. Some teams will drive an hour or more to that” secret “location where they can catch one of the six species of fish the tournament allows. The categories are bass, walleyes, trout, panfish, roughfish, and catfish. But, the other day thinking about past tourneys I thought about many of the 75-80 teams that didn’t have a boat. You do not have to have a boat to fish Saturday or any other day if owning a boat is not for you. Wisconsin is blessed with many, lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams where one can go and usually bring enough fish home for good fish fry.
If you take your family fishing your children will most likely fish as they get older and maybe one day have their own children fishing? If I planned to shore fish, I would check the Internet, go to the DNR page, buy a map of where you plan to fish, and call the DNR office closest to you and ask for some help. The Yahara Fishing Club in Madison has a wonderful booket on shore fishing the Madison and surrounding area waters. There are numerous places to fish in Madison and within a 30 mile radius. Most State and Federal parks and lands have opportunities to fish or are close to public fishing lands. Always make sure that the land that you’re fishing on is public land that allows fishing. Also, check to see if the waters that you’re fishing have special regulations. I always carry a Wisconsin State Fishing Rules and Regulations booklet in my back pocket. Don’t allow a fun time turn into a sad one by violating any state or Federal regulations.
Fishing equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, but don’t buy things just because they are cheap. Take a friend who fishes to a local fishing shop or bait store and have them help you pick the gear that is right for the fishing that you’ll be doing. You also can find good equipment at garage sales and during sales. Starting out with good gear will be well worth the money you might spend for cheap and inferior equipment. I suggest finding out if you like fishing before spending too much money. You also can find some good deals on numerous Internet sites. You’d be surprised the number of fish caught fishing with a plain hook, baited with ½ a night crawler and a split shot on the bottom catches. Do some basic fishing reading on the Internet or the numerous fishing websites.
There also will be members of the National Professional Angler Association at the Sauk City event who will be helping with the kid’s weigh-in, handing out “goodie” bags, and talking to the children. The NPAA is a class organization that promotes children fishing events by giving away rods and reels and other gear to the children fishing, and instructing the young anglers.
University of Wisconsin Assistant Hockey Coach, Mark Strobel, will be there to help and sign autograph’s for the children and give a brief talk to all there.
Here are a few good spots in Madison and the surrounding area for good shore fishing; Marshall Park Lagoon near the northwest corner of Lake Mendota, Governor Nelson State Park, on Lake Mendota’s north shore, and in Madison, the Warner Park Lagoon and Park Breakwall. On Lake Monoa, the Monona Bay and Brittingham Park are good fishing for most species. On Lake Waubesa, try the Babcock County Park.
Outside of Madison, there’s Indian Lake out Highway 19, Fish Lake outside Roxbury and Crystal Lake which is next to Fish Lake. These lakes have good panfish and largemouth bass fishing.
There then is the Wisconsin River north on Highway 12 from Madison where there are many miles of fishing waters with public access where most species of gamefish, roughfish, and panfish are found.
Come out to Sauk City this Saturday and fish the tournament which is free and have a chance to win some great prizes. M\Never think that you have to have a boat to go fishing because Wisconsin has good fishing in most of the state.