Increase conservation awareness through education programming, outdoor exploration and exhibits at the Governor Tommy G Thompson fish hatchery.
FISH - What We Do
Annual activities throughout the year include:
1. Sponsoring the Shell Lake/Spooner High School fishing club with over 100 other high schools. The clubs compete through the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fish Association (WIFA) in five winter and three summer tournaments.
2. Hosting an annual ‘Reelin In the Memories’ fish outing for senior citizens and assisted living residents of Washburn and surrounding counties. The event is held at the hatchery State Park in Spooner. FISH provides equipment and bait along with a fish fry picnic.
3. Adopt a Musky program where a pit tag chip number, inserted in fingerling fish produced at the hatchery, is printed on a certificate with the original weight and length. The adoptive owner is notified of any recapture with the new weight and length. The process is for musky in the Chippewa Flowage.
4. Holds education classes for families and youth, and, outings for the public, and, open house events during the walleye and musky production season at the hatchery.
5. Works on community projects providing a new fishing pier, picnic tables, and grills at the hatchery park. Purchased an enclosed trailer for equipment storage. Obtained and maintains a large fish aquarium for display at the Washburn County Fair and other events.
6. Participates in school and home school student tours and education programs.
7. Remodeling Spooners first fish hatchery built in 1913. The end result will be a passive museum depicting old time fish rearing and stocking work.
