Instructor certification

Instructor certification

Who are instructors?

Instructors are people like you. Youth leaders, classroom teachers, fishing club members and civic leaders are all encouraged to attend a workshop as a team or form one at the workshop. Successful program models include after-school fishing clubs, summer enrichment classes, family-school/camp adventures, scout merit badges and more!

While this program has traditionally focused on youth, keep in mind adults who may have missed the boat as kids!

Certification process

People get certified as Angler Education Instructors by attending a training workshop and completing a background check [PDF].

Here are more specifics on the certification process.

Training workshops

Training workshops

Please check back from time to time for updates to this schedule.

Basic angler education instructor certification workshop

Basic Angler Education instructor training workshop certification workshops focus on teaching spin casting and incorporating related topics in a K-12 curriculum, youth development program or adult education. Some workshops feature fly fishing or complementary aquatic resources education programs.

Fishing club members, youth leaders, classroom teachers and civic leaders are encouraged to attend a workshop as a team or form a team at a workshop. Successful models include after-school fishing clubs, summer enrichment classes, school-family events and Boy Scout merit badge training.

Workshop fees

Angler Education workshops are free; sometimes we feed you lunch or dinner, too! However, we do have a $15 workshop commitment fee to ensure good attendance by registrants and allow us to plan accordingly. If your plans change, please notify us three days in advance to get a refund of your workshop commitment fee. Otherwise, it becomes a donation to the Angler Education Program. There are fees for Project WET and Project WILD and will be collected when those programs are offered in combination with Angler Education.

To schedule a volunteer or teacher training workshop in your community, please contact Theresa Stabo, Aquatic Resources Educator, 608-266-2272. We need a minimum of 8 to 12 adult participants, depending on location, to hold a workshop.

Workshop schedule

Several workshops are being planned. More details will be provided in the coming weeks, but here's a quick run down of what's coming up. Check back often to learn about additional workshops!

Location	Shorewood (north of Milwaukee)
Date	Thursday, May 23, 2013
Time	4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place	Shorewood High School - Room TBA 1701 E. Capitol Drive Shorewood WI 53211
Registration Deadline	Download the registration form [PDF], complete and return by May 15, 2013
Audience	Open to all adults interested in offering a recreational fishing program.
Join the Shorewood Recreation Department and the Milwaukee County Office for Persons with Disabilities at this workshop. Kathy Overman from Fishing Has No Boundaries willl help lead this workshop and offer tips on including people with disabilities and using adaptive fishing techniques in your community fishing program. The workshop will focus on youth and families in summer recreation programs, but ideas can be adapted for adult learn-to-fish programs. Role play and practice-teach fishing-related skills including: fish identification; knot tying; casting; and more!
Contact	Kim Anderson 608-261-6431

For-credit Courses

Summer brings enrichment opportunities for classroom teachers. Non-teachers are welcome to join in if space allows.

Course	Big Splash!
Location	Oshkosh and surrounding area
Place	James P. Coughlin Center 625 E. County Road Y
Date	Monday, June 24 - Friday, June 28, 2013.
Time	We will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Class will be from 8:30 a.m.- 4, Tuesday through Friday.
Course Information Two graduate credits are being offered through Viterbo University Expected cost: $270.00, including $220 for credits and $50.00 fee for Project WET and Project WILD Download the brochure with registration form [PDF], then complete and return the form to WDNR Registration deadline: June 12, 2013
Audience	This course is geared for people who teach grades 4 - 12, however, other people are welcome to attend. Discover how explorations of fish and their aquatic habitats can help lay the foundation for understanding the scientific method. Participants receive materials that help support Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards for Grades 4 - 12. Supplemental materials are available for teachers of younger learners. Contact Theresa Stabo or Kim Anderson to discuss options and find out if this course is right for you.
Get your feet wet in this experiential, for-credit course! Learn the shocking truth about Fisheries Management aboard a Lake Winnebago shocking boat See the variety of fish in Lake Winnebago in a fyke-netting demonstration Board the Wet Wonder and marvel at the connection between lake flies and lake sturgeon Wade a nearby stream and look for members of the stream food web Age a fish and find out how to keep the fish in our lakes healthy and edible ...and more!
We'll roll out a full menu of aquatic resources education materials including: Angler Education Project WET Project WILD Water Action Volunteers Aquatic Invasive Species
Contact	Theresa Stabo 608-266-2272 or Kim Anderson 608-261-6431

Teachers’ conferences & professional conventions

Look for us at teachers’ conferences and other professional conventions. They are typically held in the spring and fall.

Loaner gear

Tackle Loaner Program

No fishing rod? No problem! We have fishing equipment you can borrow at several DNR offices and state parks and facilities. There is no charge to borrow the equipment -- just enjoy your day fishing in Wisconsin and return the equipment in the condition you received it (or better!) so that the next person can enjoy it.

Check out the fishing equipment contacts page for information on who to contact to find out exactly what kind of gear is available near you. If you have general questions about the tackle loaner program contact Theresa Stabo, 608-266-2272 or Kim Anderson, 608-261-6431.

Available gear

While special lures and fresh bait are not provided, we generally have the following basic equipment at most sites:

• many closed face fishing rods and reels;
• a few open face rods and reels;
• casting plugs;
• bobbers; and
• hooks, lines and sinkers

In addition to fishing equipment, some sites (but not all) have fish printing materials, knot-tying practice equipment, Backyard Bass (a casting game) and other educational resources like Fish Packs [PDF]. Fish Packs are stocked with games, stories and activities that help youngsters learn about Wisconsin fish. Check one out or download the link for ideas to create your own! Inquire when you contact or visit a loaner site to see exactly what they have to offer.

Keep in mind

Before you plan a fishing trip around loaner equipment, know that:

• equipment is available on a first come, first served basis; and
• you may borrow equipment for up to one week, unless demand is low in your area. Ask the contact in your area if an extension is possible.

Follow the Golden Rule

• Make proper handling and care of equipment part of your angler or fishing education program.
• If the equipment was damaged, return all the parts with a note explaining what happened.
• Instructions to fix a tangled reel [PDF].

The most popular time for borrowing the equipment is also the busiest time for our field staff - spring and early summer. Please help them out by returning the equipment clean and in good working order. If something breaks -- which sometimes happens -- fix it if you can, or bring the problem to our staff's attention so the next group will have functional equipment. Your help with maintenance frees up our field staff for stocking fish and working on habitat projects.

Adopt a fishing tackle loaner site

Many tackle loaner sites would welcome help with equipment maintenance. This would be a great volunteer service project for scouts, students, fishing clubs or anyone who'd like to pitch in and ensure that our gear is in shape for beginner anglers. Materials will be provided for re-spooling and general clean-up. Loaner sites that want help are marked with a VM. Locate the site nearest you on the fishing equipment contacts page and call them to find out how you can help! Thank you!

Fishing clinics

Fishing clinics

Throughout the year, the Department of Natural Resources works with local parks departments, fishing clubs and organizations to host fishing clinics and other events. Thanks to all clinic hosts and sponsors!

Attend a clinic

County:	Sauk
Location:	Baraboo, WI
Date:	May 11, 2013
Time:	3 p.m.—5 p.m.
Place:	Devil's Lake State Park, S5975 Park Road, Baraboo, WI 53913. Meet at the North Shore boat launch.
Target Age:	All ages are welcome
Learn to Fish Want to try fishing but don't know what to do? Come to our Learn to Fish program and we'll show you how! We'll have fun games and activities that will teach you the basics of fishing. We supply all the fishing equipment. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by Devils Lake State Park
Contact:	For more information call: 608-356-8301

County:	Chippewa
Location:	Chippewa Falls YMCA
Date:	May 28 to May 31, 2013
Time:	6 p.m. to 7:30p.m.
Place:	Chippewa Falls YMCA
Target Age:	All ages are welcome
Family Fishing Get Hooked Tuesday, May 28 Fishing basics are covered Wednesday, May 29 Meet the DNR Fisheries Thursday, May 30 How to clean fish Friday, May 31 How to cook fish
Contact:	For more information:Kyle Beach

County:	Oneida
Location:	Rhinelander, WI
Date:	June 8, 2013
Time:	9 a.m.—1 p.m.
Place:	Hodag Park boat landing and Pavilion, Rhinelander, WI
Target Age:	Families and youth kindergarten through 12th grade
9th Annual Family Fishing Fun Day The goal of the event is to introduce, educate and promote the joy of fishing to area youth and their families. Sponsored by 4-H Youth Development and local businesses
Contact:	For more information contact Katie Leone or Anna Gauthier: 715-365-2750

County:	Waushara
Location:	Wild Rose, WI
Date:	June 22, 2013
Time:	call
Place:	Evergreen Campsites W5449 Archer Lane, Wild Rose, WI 54984
Target Age:	16 and older
Family Fishing Frenzy Fishing clinic for families $5 fee to participate Learn the basics of fishing Equipment provided
Contact:	For more information contact Tracy Schroeder: 920-622-3498

County:	Taylor
Location:	Rib Lake, WI
Date:	July 13, 2013
Time:	9 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Place:	Little Spirit Lake Boat Landing, 7 miles east of Rib Lake on State Hwy 102
Target Age:	15 and under
Kids Pan Fishing Day Games, prizes, raffle and food Children need to be accompanied by an adult Sponsored by Spirit Lake Association
Contact:	For more information Call: 715-427-3778

Plan a fishing clinic

Now is the time to start planning your own fishing clinic to usher in a summer of fishing fun! Use these events to kick off summertime youth fishing clubs and get anglers of all ages out to the water's edge.

Download the General Event Planning Form, [PDF] to be used anytime. Return your completed form to the Angler Education Office at the DNR. Contact Kim Anderson, 608-261-6431 if you would like a planning form mailed to you.

Participants 16 years or older likely will need fishing licenses to fish at most events, unless they occur on Free Fishing Weekend. Call contacts for complete information.

¿Habla usted español?

Enseñan

Necesitamos pescadores que hablen español para patrocinar o ayudar en nuestras clínicas de pesca. Estos eventos enseñan a pescar a gente de todas edades.

Por favor déjenos saber que usted habla español si usted va ofrecer una clínica de pesca, o si va ayudar como voluntario, e incluiremos un aviso que “se habla español” en el anuncio de estos eventos en nuestro sitio Web.

Koj puas paub hais lus hmoob?

Peb xav yuav neeg uas paub hais lub hmoob los qhuas qhia neeg txhua lub noob nyoog txog nuv ntses. Yog nej muaj lus xav qhuas qhias thiab txawj hais lub hmoob, thov nej qhia rau peb paub. Yog nej xav tuaj pab thiab paub lub hmoob, thov nej qhia rau peb thiab. Peb mam li tshaj tawm rau ntawm peb lub Web site kom txhua tus hnov tias muaj neeg uas paub hais lus hmoob tuaj qhia txog nuv ntses.

More fishing opportunities

The Department of Tourism has additional events listed on their Website, The Great Outdoors - Fishing [exit DNR].

Borrow a rod, keep the memories

No fishing pole? No worries! Contact a Tackle Loaner site at one of several state parks and DNR regional offices to borrow one. Pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water.