Forestville, WI: The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, WI held their 20th annual Free Kids Fishing Day on June 1st. Of the 392 participants, 193 were registered youth and 199 adults. Sixty-three volunteers and staff coordinated the 10 Learning stations including Fish I.D., What fish eat, What’s in your tackle box, Water and boat safety, Invasive species, Aquaculture, Learning about lead, Casting practice, Pond fishing and fly fishing.
The participants also received a free lunch and tried Gyotaku painting. The Tread Lightly station inside handed out free goodie bags. Of the 43 event sponsors, 26 were local and 17 national including the Future Angler Foundation (FAF) and the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA). Nick Schmal, Executive Director of FAF and NPAA #123 helped with the casting station and David Wegener, NPAA #1083 educated youth at the tackle table. David’s wife handed out Future Pro t-shirts to many of the attendees who stopped by his station to learn all about different fishing tackle.
About the Visitor Center: Located on County Highway G just off of US Highway 2, two miles west of Ashland, Wisconsin just west of the roundabout intersection of Highways 2 and 13.
Established through efforts by the Friends of the Center, a grass roots, non-profit organization formed to support the goals of a new Center that combined elements of history, natural resources, and visitor information under one roof. The group lobbied the state and federal governments for nearly six years and obtained state and federal funds to build this Center. Construction began in 1995. The Center opened in May 1998. The Forest Service holds title to the facility and 180-acre grounds.
Operated through a unique federal, state and local partnership. Federal, state, and local organizations align their missions to bring specialized services to our visitors and communities. The Center’s operating partners are: The US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Historical Society, University of Wisconsin – Extension, and the Friends of the Center Alliance, Limited.
