Reel fun
I bought my first fishing license last week.
It was an exciting occasion for my boyfriend, Mike. I think he’s happier than I am.
Now don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy fishing, and I’ve pulled many a bluegill out of the lake when I was little. But I can only take so long of casting with no luck before I turn to a reading a book.
I spent several hours in a fishing boat over the Memorial Day weekend on Lake Nokomis near Tomahawk and caught nothing but weeds. Luckily, our fishing entourage brought in a few, including this cutie to the right.
Back in the day, when I was young enough to not need a license, my dad, sister and I would fish with worms and bobbers and have enough fish in a short time to serve for dinner. Mmm…flour up the little guys, send them to the frying pan and voila, a tasty, free dinner.
After fishing only on the state’s free fishing weekends lately, my avid fisherman boyfriend convinced me to finally pay the $20 for a license. OK, maybe I just gave in to avoid more heckling.
In any case, apparently I’m not the only one buying a license for the first time. The state Department of Natural Resources saw a 16-percent jump in license sales earlier this year. Just the other day, one of our sports writers was remarking, “I caught my first fish in 40 years!”
Fishing can be a great, cheap family activity. And this weekend, adults can fish without a license during the state’s annual free fishing weekend. Admittance to all state parks also is free on Sunday. The DNR even offers free fishing equipment rental at certain locations.
Go grab your pole and head to the water!
Are you fishing for the first time, or the first time in a long time this year?
Jun 6, 2009 at 10:28 a.m.
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Poor Nemo!
Jun 5, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
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For those who are interested, this weekend is the free fishing weekend in Wisconsin. You don't need a license to fish this weekend(Saturday for sure, not sure about Sunday). This is also the weekend for Take a Kid Fishing at Traxler Park. If you have a child ages 3-14 and live in Janesville, come down and fish!
Jun 4, 2009 at 5:51 p.m.
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Have fun and try ice fishing this winter if you haven't already!
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:33 p.m.
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I wonder if the jump in license applications has to do with the economy, and people trying to help their food budget?
Jun 4, 2009 at 12:19 p.m.
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I have been getting my license online (DNR) since 2002. It is the most convenient thing. Fishing is just plain old relaxing and fun! Enjoy Gina.
Jun 4, 2009 at 12:23 a.m.
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I use to fish a lot when I was younger, but have not done it in years. Guess it's just to slow paced for me. I became to much of an action Jackson in my post teen years. I'd be bored to death to do it now.
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Sure appears to be LOTS of anglers in Janesville. Every time I go bicycling down past Monerey, and along the river, you often will run across countless people fishing the river. I never really understood that. Do people actually eat the fish out of the Rock River, or is it just more for the sport of catching them? I can't imagine eating a fish from the Rio Rock river!
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When I was a kid we use to go down to those ponds around the city dump, and you could often pull out some huge bass. Obviously, we'd never keep the fish to eat, pulling them out of no doubt toxic water right next to a dump! Often times you'd have some city guy in a truck chasing you off, and making threats to call the police, blah blah blah... Often times it was more fun trying to elude the city official then it was catching the fish! Like some covert mission to catch mutated fish without being caught!
Jun 3, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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My dad is an avid fisherman, when I was a kid he would force all 5 of us kids to go too. I hated it! First you had to put dirty ugly squishy worms on a hook then sit for hours waiting! It was so boring for me. And dad always said we had to be quiet so we wouldn't scare the fish away! Can you imagine 5 kids outside ever being quiet?? Lucky I married a man that doesn't hunt or fish! But you have fun anyway Gina!
Jun 3, 2009 at 11:16 a.m.
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I'm proud of you Gina.
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