Are you ready for a challenge?  WI Women Fish is introducing a new program to encourage club members to strive for quality fish, investigate angling opportunities, and provide some friendly competition at club events and on individual outings. The Master Angler Program is a two-part program that provides recognition for women that have pursued and caught quality fish based on established length criteria and have expanded their fishing knowledge by pursuing a variety of game and pan fish.

Details
You must be a current member, in good standing, of WI Women Fish to participate. The Master Angler Program runs from Fall Fish Camp to Fall Fish Camp each year. Awards will be presented at the Fall Fish Camp for the previous yearʼs Master Anglers and WI Women Fishʼs Angler of the Year. Each fish meeting the minimum length criteria submitted for an award must be accompanied by a photograph clearly depicting the length with proper measuring techniques or a signed statement from a witness verifying the length. Fish are to be measured on a flat board with the nose butted up against the edge and the tail pinched. Personal integrity from each member demonstrates our commitment to providing fun, exciting, and educational fishing opportunities. Remember, WI Women Fish encourages CPR (catch, photo, release) of these quality fish to sustain future fisheries. Fish must be entered within one week of being caught. ( Note: due to the program being implemented mid season, entries will be accepted from members in good standing from the back dated period from Oct 8th , 2011 forward.

Master Angler Award: Part 1
A Master Angler Award will be awarded to each member for their first fish caught in a category that meets the minimum length requirement and is appropriately documented. A member may earn more than one Master Angler Award by catching a quality fish from another category; however, only one award per single category will be awarded regardless of the number of quality fish caught.

Angler of the Year: Part 2
Angler of the Year is presented to the club member able to catch a quality fish from the greatest number of categories. Multiple fish within a single category and the overall length of the fish will not be factored into the calculation for Angler of the Year. In the event of a tie, a Fish-Off will occur at Fall Fish Camp to determine the winner. WI Women Fishʼs Angler of the Year will receive a ST. Croix rod of their choice. A big thank you to St Croix for helping with our program. Special thanks to Robin Miller for helping to implement this program.

Quality Fish Minimum Length Criteria
Northern Pike-35”
Largemouth Bass-20”
Lake Trout-30”
Perch-12”
Smallmouth Bass-20”
Rainbow Trout -30”
Crappie-13”
Walleye-27”
Brook Trout (inland)-15”
Bluegill-10”
Musky-40”
Chinook Salmon ( king) -38”
White Bass-15”
Channel Catfish- 25”
Brown Trout -28”
White Fish 20 “
Burbot – 23”
Coho Salmon -28”

• Master Angler Form

This event will be divided up into 2 groups: shore fishing and boat fishing.  Both groups will meet at Olbrich Park at 8 a.m. Boats can launch at Olbrich park ‐ there is plenty of trailer parking space available. A daily launch fee is required & costs $8.  Club members Lea Austinson and Teresa Zais will be leading the shore contingent and many shore fishing area’s are within walking distance to each other. You will have options of fishing at a scenic park or right in the heart of the city. Maps will be provided. Boaters will be able to venture wherever they feel opportunistic. Maps of Lake Monona are plentiful via the internet and are also included on the Navionics Lake map chip. You must provide your own bait and there is a local bait shop 6 blocks from Olbrich Park. There is another popular bait/tackle shop at the Dorn Hardware store but that is further away.

For those of you coming in from out of town, Hotel accommodations can be made at AmericInn in Monona.  Their website is www.americinn.com.
 
AmericInn
South 101 West Broadway
Madison, WI 53716
Toll‐Free: 1‐800‐634‐3444

Dorns Hardware and Sporting Good Store
1348 S .Midvale Blvd.
Madison, WI 53711
 

Dorn Hardware and Sporting Good Store
151 North Sherman Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
 

Harley’s Liquor & Bait
3838 Atwood Avenue
Madison, WI 53714
Phone: 608‐222‐7941
 

Afer we are done with the day’s fishing we will have a cookout @ Olbrich Park.  Meat provided by the club; everyone else should bring a dish to share. Also supply your own beverages along with a lawn chair.
 

• Registration for this event will open soon.

Turn off those electronics units, leave the gas tank at home, and come join us for some old-school fishing at one of the most beautiful lakes in our great state. Paddle your way around via kayak, canoe, or rowboat and fish for large-mouth bass, bluegill, perch, brown trout, or northern. lunch, sunscreen, and prizes will all be provided! Motors are prohibited, but trolling motors are allowed, so your fishing boat will work too. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at the park, and shore fishing is also a good option.

Come for the day or camp overnight at one of the local campgrounds. Devil’s Lake, Mirror Lake, and Wheelers’ Campground are just a few campsites in the area. Devil’s Lake State Park campground is very popular so if you want to camp on site be sure to make your reservations soon.

Registration will be from 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the South Shore, and the fishing contest will run from 10:00 – 5 PM. Lunch will be available from 12:00PM – 1:00 PM. A State Park sticker is required, and if you’re fishing for trout, you’ll need an inland trout stamp.

TRIFECTA: To enter this category, you must catch three different species of fish with one of the three being either a trout or a northern. This category will yield our top prize.

BASSMASTER: Catch a bass 14 inches or longer and enter this drawing.

TROUT TICKLER: Commonly caught at about 30 feet, these beauties are not easy to catch. Do you have the touch to land one of these softmouthed browns? Catch a trout, and enter this drawing.

CAPSIZED QUEEN: You dump it; you’re in this drawing. Nothing says fun in the sun like a capsized kayak. Let’s just hope there’s a fish on your line when you regroup.

ANYTHING GOES: You catch a fish, any fish, and you can register to win

SOMETHING! Heck, if you show up and get skunked, we’ll help you net a minnow from the shore just to give you a chance! And remember no electronics can be used to find your fish.

Websites to help you plan your day…
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/devilslake/camp.html
http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/information-center/learning/geology/
http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/activities/fishing/lake-depth-map/
http://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/activities/fishing/

This event is brought to you by WI Women Fish members Jane McMahon and Lisa Wilson. A big thanks to them for planning and hosting this event. If you would like to plan and host a WI Women Fish event please email me via the contact us section of the web site.

Click here to register

Did you know that you can have a great tan in the winter with out going away on vacation? The sun reflecting off the frozen lakes of Wisconsin is a great way to ward off seasonal affect disorder and actually get a tan. People ask me all the time if I have been on vacation and I tell them that I have been Ice Fishing. This sport have been becoming more popular among men and women and we can help you get started. If you ever wanted to give Ice Fishing a try this is your chance. Some of you have been watching us from afar as we head out on our winter Ice Fishing adventures. This is your chance to learn what you need to know to join us.

We teach you how to ice fish. In this class, you will learn about ice safety, how to start and run a power auger, learn to set up a portable shack, set tips ups, use a jig rod, fish with live and artificial bait, how to use electronics, view life under the ice with the underwater camera and more. The instructors for this class are women and all the equipment is provided.

You will receive information on how to dress and heated shacks are provided to keep you warm. We start with a cup of coffee and learn the basic safety info before we head out onto the ice. The class location is 1 hour north of Madison and 1 hour south of Stevens Point. We are right inbetween Hwy I 39/ 51 and Hwy 90/94.

The cost of the class is $75 and that includes the $25 membership in WI Women Fish for 2012. Our instructors teach a shorter version of this class for the BOW program through UWSP the weekend of February 4th. More information on that class can be found at http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/bow/wihome/events.aspx. Class size is limited to 10 Women. If you would like to gather some  of your friend together and have us bring the class to your area, let us know as that could be a possibility.

• 2012 Club Registration Form and Liabilty Waiver
• 2012 Ice Fishing Class Registration Form

Ok Ladies….here it is..the event you have been waiting for. White Fish fishing in Door County!

Our favorite pro angler Marianne Huskey has offered to show us the world of Ice Fishing for White Fish in beautiful Door County. We will be fishing on Friday afternoon, all Day Saturday and Sunday morning. We will be heading out approx a mile off shore, setting up our portable village and learning the art of catching those tasty White Fish. At some point in the weekend, we may also go hunting for those jumbo Door County perch. For this event you will need some prior ice fishing experience. Be prepared to be self sufficient as all our experienced anglers will be wanting to get in on the action. We will be able to help transport out to the area but if you have an atv or snowmobile bring it with. We may be able to drive on the ice but that decision will be made just prior to the event. We do have some loaner equipment available but you should know how to use it.

This event size is limited to 30 people.  The spots will be filled on a first come first serve basic. I have reserved a block of rooms at the Sand Bay Beach Resort. Check out the web site at http://sandbaybeach.com/. This is a really nice place and they have nice suites that can be shared if you want to share expenses. Please do not reserve a room unless you have been confirmed for this event. Many times we stay at the very basic Hotel / Motel. This time we are going first class, but yet it is still affordable.  This resort is the gateway to the great fishing and our ATVʼs can park right on the beach. Some of the rooms have king bed, loveseat-pulls out into twin sleeper, bar kitchenette (bar fridge, sink, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, dishes, silverware) 4×6 whirlpool tub, breakfast table w/two chairs, bathroom w/oversize shower, and a patio or balcony.

We can only take 30 and my guess is that it will sell out fast. I have been warning people that the events sell out and the last 3 events with a cap limit we had to turn people away. Fish Camp sold out all 50 spots in 1 week. If you are reading this on the web site and you want to attend, send it in today. The cost is $40 per person. This includes the fishing only. Room reservations and food are on your own. Specific gear and tackle recommendations will be send to the first 30 people that register. Once you are confirmed you can reserve a room from the WI Women Fish block.

• 2012 Club Registration Form and Liabilty Waiver
• White Fish on Ice Registration Form

Big Green Lake is one of the deepest Lakes in Wisconsin. It is a very popular pleasure boating Lake in the summer and provides year round fishing opportunities. Due to the water being so deep, ice travel can be tricky and extra caution is urged. Big Green Lake has a nice population of Lake Trout and we would like to go catch some. We have shacks for 20 people reserved for this Lake Trout Outing on Big Green Lake. We will be using Dennis Walkers Guide service. Dennis has a special vehicle and people transporter and gives us a ride out to the heated ice shacks. He provides all the gear to fish for the much coveted Lake Trout which can put up quite a fight.

For this event you do not need any gear but if you want your lucky jig rod bring it. Be sure your rod selection is not the same one you use for blue gill fishing as you will want a rod with a little more back bone for brining those fish in from the deep. We will be fishing in over 100 feet of water. Knowing where you are going on this water is very important so we going with Dennis. We will meet in the morning and spend the day on the Lake. Exact times and meeting location will be sent to those who are confirmed for this event.

This is a good event for newer ice anglers as all the gear is provided and you get the shanty town experience. They are not that easy to catch and its takes some concentration. I will be available to help you as needed. I did this several times last year and had a lot of fun. Cost will be the Guide fee of $45 per person. A tip is also customary. Bring your lunch, a camera and drinks of choice.

As usual you must be a member of WI Women Fish to attend. We can only take 20 for this event due to shack space. I have made the reservation and will hold spots for the first 20 people who send in the forms. I will also keep a waiting list and if you
have to cancel and your spot is filled off the waiting list I will send you a full refund.

• Lake-Trout-Registration-Form
• 2012 Club Registration Form and Liabilty Waiver

Ladies, I am proud to invite you to the 5th annual Fish Camp to be held at White Rock Resort in Chetek WI. Prepare to be impressed as this years Fish Camp is going to include a premier Walleye Clinic along with the usual good fishing, good food, good friends and so much more.

This year we will also be holding separate contests for shore and boat anglers. One amazing addition to this years agenda is that Marianne Huskey, pro Walleye Angler, is going to be in residence at Fish Camp, and will be giving seminars, taking people out in her boat, and providing insight into her experiences as a world class angler.

A Little Bit about Marianne:

Marianne, like the rest of us, has a passion for fishing that started when she was six years old. In her early 20’s, she moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she had her first experience fishing for walleyes thru the ice. She soon found that was the species that she had been in search of for her entire life. One month later she had her own shanty and was heading off to ice fish on her own.  Since then she has competed at the grassroots tournament level both on the ice and on the water. In the fall of 2008 she decided it was time to make the jump and become a Professional Walleye Angler. Since 2009 she has completed all of the AIM Pro Walleye Series Tournaments as the only female angler and was a strong competitor in all five of the 2010 AIM tournaments. She was also awarded the 2010 Dave Anderson Sportsman of the Year Award which is an award that honors the AIM Pro Angler who has done the most to promote the sport of fishing and has portrayed the best example of professionalism in competitive fishing. Marianne is on the Lund Pro Staff, has numerous sponsors and frequently speaks at a variety of fishing events. After day one at the recent FLW Walleye Tournament,  Marianne was in third place and finished 18th as a money winner out of over 140 anglers. Check her out at http://www.mariannehuskey.com.  The future looks bright for Marianne and we feel lucky to have her support for WI Women Fish. I know we will all be cheering for her. I recently had the opportunity to fish with Marianne and I learned so much and caught the biggest Walleye of my life. Believe me when I tell you this is something big!

Fish Camp Details:
Fish Camp is returning for another year at Chetekʼs White Rock Resort. White Rock is located on a chain of six lakes and has numerous fully equipped cabins. The resort is tucked in with some great pines and has an entire peninsula for shore fishing opportunities as well as numerous boat docking places.

The cabins have a kitchen, bathroom, cable tv, wireless internet and a grill. The “light housekeeping” cottages are furnished and inventoried with silverware, dishes, pots/pans,toaster, coffee maker and microwave. All linens and personal items are your responsibility. (Personal items include, but are not limited to: toilet paper, napkins, and other paper goods, cleaning or hygiene products, food, etc.) ( BRING YOUR OWN SHEETS )

More information is available on White Rock’s web site at  www.chetekswhiterockresort.com. The resort has several cabins with several bed configurations, a kitchen and a bathroom. If you would like to get a group together with some friends, I can put you all in one cabin. If you are coming with a friend please bunk with each other to help this work out. There will be at least one alcohol free cabin. Some cabins will be available on Thursday night and Sunday night for those of you coming early or staying late. There is an additional fee of $100 per cabin per night for additional nights. The $100 can be split between people sharing a cabin. I will try to put early and late attendees together to help defer the cost.  In addition to all the cabins at White Rock, we will also be using some cabins next door.

Last year the best shore fishing was in front of the adjacent cabins so if you want to be over check that off on the form. There is plenty of dock space to park your boat so bring it along. We will have help available for launching and trailering your boat. We will be asking for volunteers to help with this at check in. For those of you who do not have a boat, there are a few row boats available to use at no charge. Shore fishing opportunities are plentiful here, and last year, shore fishing was just as productive as off-shore fishing.

We are very excited to tell you that we have lots of great sponsors this year and we are expecting some great raffle items and gifts from Cabelaʼs, Lakemade Beer and many others. Everyone will go home with a prize!

The cost of this years fish camp is only $150. For this low price you will get two nights in a cabin, a welcome packet with a few surprises, all seminars and contests, a long sleeve fish camp t -shirt, Saturday night dinner, some beverages, and great raffle prizes. Act Fast! Current members will have one week to register before it is opened to the facebook members and posted on the web site. Space is limited at 50 participants and it will be filled on a first come first serve basis based on postmark date. To register, complete the registration form and send it in with payment. P.S. Everyone who attends is expected to help with the necessary tasks to pull this event off. We need help so step up and do your part. Signups for these tasks will occur on check in at Fish Camp. The schedule is listed below. Please keep in mind that the schedule may be adjusted as needed to meet our needs. Please help spread the word about this event. Itʼs a great opportunity.

Friday Schedule

• 9 -11:30 Registration Opens Boat Launching help available
• 12:00 Seminar Starts. Reading a lake map, finding fish, trolling, planer boards, Main tent
• 3:00 Shore Fishing Contest starts Draw to Fish with Marianne

Saturday Schedule

• 8:00 How to make Crawler Harnesses Main Tent
• 9:00 Ask the pro Marianne answers
• 10:00 Fishing 101 Review for those in need WI Women Fish Staff
• 10:00 Open Fishing Draw to Fish with Marianne
• 4:00 Full Rib and Chicken Dinner served Main Tent
• 5:00 Rules Meeting Boat Tournament More Fishing Main Tent
• 8:00 Camp Fire main pit

Sunday Schedule

• 8:00 Boat Tournament Starts White Rock Pier
• 12:00 Boat and Shore Tournament Ends Submit tally sheets
• 1:00 Awards Ceremony Raffle Main Tents
• 3:00 Event ends Clean up help needed

• Fish Camp Registration (White Rock Resort 2011)

Join us for some urban fishing along the beautiful city scape of Milwaukee WI. You may think I’m crazy when I say beautiful city scape, but if you have stood off the pier looking back at the city with the sun going down, you would have to agree with me. If feels like you have a secret shared with only a few, while thousands of people bustle about their day with out knowing the treasure that lies in the deep right off the pavement.

There are several places in the metro area that we like to fish. We had a great time fighting huge king salmon last year at this time. We learned to fish this area with the locals on the pier as well as watching a few videos. We did what we saw on the videos and before long we had our hooks into something that felt like a pickup truck going down the highway. The fish move daily and there are a few spots to pick from.

I will have contacts pre fishing the local spots a few days before the event so I am unable to give a specific location to meet at this time. For those of you on Facebook, if you RSVP to the Salmon Event I can send you a note several days before the event and give you the address of where to meet. That is also a good place to inquire about car pooling if you want to try to share a ride with someone coming from your area. For those of you not on facebook, email me and I can add you to the list and let you know where to meet.

There is no fee for this event, but you must be a member of WI Women Fish. We will meet at 10:00 p.m. ( at a place to be determined) and plan on fishing well all day.

There are links to a video on our facebook page that shows you how to rig up a line to fish for these big fish. The exact fishing location and meeting place will not be posted on the web site but only emailed to those attending. Everyone is invited and it is best to remain flexible. As always safety is a big concern for us and we try to do everything right.

I encourage you to do some research on salmon fishing from shore and you will find lots of tips and tricks to try. We will send out a list of recommended tackle to use. We fish in all types of weather so come prepared. If you are joining us email me to get on the notification list.

2011 Club Registration Form and Liabilty Waiver

Have you read about all of our fishing adventures and wished you knew how to fish? Well here is your chance. We will be giving a Fishing 101 class to show you everything you need to know to have the skill and confidence to get out there and catch some fish.

In this class you will learn how to pick a bait and get your pole set up. How to tie fishing knots, cast, read the water, slip bobber rigs, wolf river rigs, throw crank baits, how to clean fish and much much more…. After this class you will be able to go out and catch everything from blue gills to salmon. We will show how to handle fish, take the hook out, work with live and artificial bait,

There will be multiple instructors on site to help you. You will also receive a fishing rod and reel for you to keep and take home. You will be able to go out the next day and put what you learned into action.

The fee for the class is $100. This includes, a membership in WI Women Fish, all the instruction, lunch and a rod and reel to take home with you. If you are already a member the fee is $75. The class will be held rain or shine as we reserved a shelter at the park.

The date of the class is the same weekend that WI has a free fishing weekend so you do not need a fishing license. Great news if you are coming from out of state. Class size is limited. To register, complete the forms on the web site and mail them in with your fee. We are able to offer a partial scholarships for this class if there is a need. Our funds are extremely limited as all of our operating expenses come from member dues but we never want money to be a barrier for women to get out fishing. Please only request a scholarship if you really need it. We want to help those in need but our funds are limited. Class is filled by post mark dates. First come first server.