2008 Fisheries Management Awards
Six groups received
2008 statewide fisheries awards from the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Management program. They are Sturgeon
for Tomorrow, the Musky Club Alliance of Wisconsin, the Coon Valley Conservation Club, the
Riveredge Nature Center in Milwaukee, the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department, and the
Northwoods Chapter of Trout Unlimited, respectively.
Sturgeon for Tomorrow
Sturgeon for Tomorrow was recognized for their dedication since 1977 to preserve, protect and enhance sturgeon resources of the Lake Winnebago System by raising and donating nearly $1 million for sturgeon research and management since the group's inception.
Pictured left to right: DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs, Pat Braasch (Sturgeon for Tomorrow), Dick Braasch (Sturgeon for Tomorrow), and DNR fisheries supervisor Ron Bruch
Projects the organization has helped fund and participate in over the years include the "sturgeon guard" program using volunteers to guard the fish on its spawning runs up the Wolf River, spawning and nursery site construction on the Wolf River, sturgeon population assessments, and special equipment purchases to help assess the sturgeon population.
Musky Club Alliance of Wisconsin
The Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin received the 2008 Cooperator Award for their leadership and commitment to the protection of muskellunge spawning habitat and participation in a study.
Pictured left to right: DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs, Jerry Loop, representative of Winnebagoland Musky Club on the Musky Clubs Alliance, Bob Haase, Executive Director of the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, and Paul Cunningham, Lakes Habitat Specialist
The alliance paid for most of the equipment needed for the research project, paid for the researchers´ lodging, and played a direct critical role in conducting the field work. Twenty-eight alliance members volunteered their own cars, boats, and time to go out at night and search for spawning muskies, often coming off the water at 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Coon Valley Conservation Club
Coon Valley Conservation Club received an award for their vital partnership to the DNR"s wild trout stocking program.
Pictured left to right: DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs, fisheries biologist Jordan Weeks, Bruce King and Mark Moilien of the Coon Valley Conservation Club, fisheries supervisor Dave Vetrano, and
The Coon Valley Club has been raising fish to stock in local streams for over 50 years. Due to VHS, wild Timber Coulee brown trout transfer from the field to the Nevin Hatchery was not allowed. So, in order to continue the wild trout program in 2007, an alternative streamside site needed to be found. The Coon Valley Conservation Club offered their rearing facilities, club members were available to help department staff during the egg collection process, which included use of the facilities and buildings on Club grounds.
Riveredge Nature Center in Milwaukee
Riveredge Nature Center, Inc. of Milwaukee received an award for agreeing to sponsor and organize volunteers to run a streamside rearing facility on the Milwaukee River to raise sturgeon to restore the Milwaukee River population.
Riveredge Nature Center in Milwaukee
Riveredge Nature Center, Inc. employees and volunteers helped make the first two years of this project a success by providing land, access to the Milwaukee River, volunteer labor, and money for rent trenching equipment and electrical hook-ups.
La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department
La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department was honored for their development of recreational opportunities for the citizens of La Crosse.
Pictured left to right: DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs and Mike Ulrich, Jason Odegaard, and Dave Erickson of the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department, and Jeff Janvrin, DNR.
Through the initiative and dedication of Mike Ulrich, Jay Odegaard and their staff, the city has developed a premier urban fishing program and have reached more than 6,000 adults and youths through their “Take me Fishing” initiative over the last two years.
Northwoods Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Northwoods Chapter of Trout Unlimited received an award for their longterm partnership with the DNR to protect and restore the trout resources of northeastern Wisconsin.
Pictured left to right: DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs, Brian Hegge of the Northwoods Chapter of Trout Unlimited, David Brum, DNR fisheries technician, Woodruff.
They have donated near $40,000, which has been combined with Trout Stamp Funding towards annual stream channel restoration projects and three dam removal projects over the last 15 years. S everal higher profile examples of the these projects are: the Brule Creek Rock Dam Channel Restoration Project; and the 2001 Deerskin River McDermott Dam Removal and the 2007 Tamarack Creek Dam Sill and Culvert Replacement Project.
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