Wisconsin State Parks will offer activities around the state as it launches its Family Play Days program in 2011. The program is part of the ongoing “Get Outdoors! Wisconsin” promotion designed to provide a wide range of state park-based outdoor activities for families and individuals, all intended to encourage healthy outdoor activity.
Seventeen state parks will offer nature-based recreational programs Sunday, which also is Free Admission Day for all state parks, or throughout the summer on scheduled weekends. Family Fun Day events are listed under the Parks, Forest, Trail and Nature Center Events calendar on the DNR website. Programs include nature art, eco-scavenger hunts, fishing, animal tracks and geocaching. Participating parks will have materials available and events will be led by park staff or volunteers.
“‘More green time, less screen time’ is our slogan for getting out and enjoying state parks and trails and healthy lifestyle activities,” said Sherry Klosiewski, chief naturalist for Wisconsin State Parks. “Recent surveys indicate that kids today spend an average of 61/2 hours per day with television, computers and video games. What we’re doing here is offering alternatives that combine nature exploration and social interaction with family, friends and others.”
Wisconsin’s first state park was established in 1900. Today the Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks and Trails System consists of 48 state parks, eight southern forests, 42 state trails and seven recreation areas. Devil’s Lake State Park, one of the most heavily visited properties in the system, will observe its 100th anniversary June 25 in a ceremony at the park.
Collegiate bass championship: Sonar Burghoff and Casey O’Donnell of Central Florida weighed 27.92 pounds of bass and took first place in the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship on May 26 and 27 on Lake Lewisville in Lewisville, Texas.
Rounding out the top five teams were Scott Jones and Andrew Sanders of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (25.67 pounds), Cody McCrary and Neil Arnaud of Louisiana-Lafayette (21.88), Nick LaDart and Daniel Echols of Louisiana-Monroe (21.55) and Adam Kolbeck and Tyler Gollakner of UW-Stevens Point (21.38). Another Wisconsin team, Ted Johnson and Jody Derks of UW-Stevens Point, placed 83rd with 5.68 pounds.
More than 150 teams competed. The 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship awarded scholarships, travel funds, incentive awards and merchandise to the top finishers. The BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Series is sanctioned by the Association of Collegiate Anglers and will be televised on Versus later this summer. For complete standings, photo album and additional information, visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.
Fishing: Jason Gaurkee will give a presentation titled “Giant Wisconsin Catfish” at the Tuesday meeting of the Okauchee Fishing Club, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1800 S 92nd St., West Allis. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.; the guest fee is $5. Visit www.ofcfish.com for more information.
Jim O’Brien will talk about “Multi-Species Fishing on Waukesha County Lakes” at the Wednesday meeting of Walleyes Unlimited, Root River Lanes, 7220 W. Rawson Ave., Franklin. Cost to nonmembers is $5; the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Visit www.walleyesunlimitedusa.org for more information.
Sporting clays: The Grellton Conservation Club will hold a sporting clays fundraiser next Sunday at the Lake Mills Conservation Club, W7082 County Highway V, Lake Mills. The 50-bird event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost of the event will be $20 per shooter with an optional $10 Lewis Class. Proceeds benefit Grellton’s hunter education classes and mentored hunts. For more information, contact Dennis Roth at (920) 262-0194.
Fly fishing: Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg will host a beginners fly fishing class June 19. The event will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost to members is $25, nonmembers $30. All equipment will be supplied. Call (800) 287-8098 for required preregistration. For more information, visit www.riveredge.us.
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