Dane in a Day: Falk urges county anglers to hit the lakes, streams on Saturday

May 04, 2007
Joanne Haas, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

With rod in hand, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today traveled through the Tenney Park Lock in Madison aboard a fishing boat to urge Dane County anglers to take to the waters Saturday to start of Wisconsin’s inland fishing season. “The best time of the year starts tomorrow – game fishing season in Wisconsin,” Falk told a news conference after traveling through the county-operated lock. “As a fisher myself, I can vouch for how much fun this sport is – and how any age can enjoy it. “It’s a great way to spend a day in Dane County with your family, your friends or a getaway for yourself,” Falk said. Dane County fishing areas Falk held her Dane in a Day news conference on the shores of Lake Mendota – Dane County’s largest lake at 9,842 acres. “Dane County has 36 named lakes and that includes 21,500 acres to enjoy,” Falk said. “There are 475 miles of streams in our county – and that includes public fishing access on more that 40 miles of Class I trout fishing waters.” Fishing is popular in Dane County, where in 2005 more than 47,000 fishing licenses were sold in Dane County. “Remember, you do need a fishing license,” Falk said. “There are all sorts of licenses – annual, junior, senior citizen, husband/wife and more.” Licenses are available from many vendors in the county, including sporting good stores or from the Department of Natural Resources where online purchases are available. Tenney Park Lock opens for season “If you have a boat, I’m happy to announce tomorrow starts the first full weekend the Tenney Park Lock is open and staffed for the season,” Falk said. The Tenney Park Boat Lock Hours for May is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The hours expand from June through August. September hours mirror May’s schedule and in October, the lock is only open on Saturday and Sunday. Lock permits are required to use the facility. The fees are $5 per day or a $20 annual permit. Daily and annual permits may be purchased at the lock. Annual permits also may be purchased at Dane County Parks (1 Fen Oak Court, Madison), Dane County Clerk (Room 112, City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison), Quam’s Motor Sports (1896 Barber Dr, Stoughton), and Skipper Bud's (5442 County Road M, Town of Westport). “State records show there were more than 28,000 boats registered by the Department of Natural Resources and housed in Dane County,” Falk said. “And a lot of those boats that use this lake come through this lock system. More than 10,000 watercraft passed through this facility last year alone.” Last year, the county completed a nearly $850,000 restoration of the lock and boathouse. Boating safety Falk and Sgt. Dave Ritter of the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, which is the county’s enforcer of boating laws, also reminded outdoor enthusiasts about boating safety with the warmer weather. Safety tips included: -- Make sure boat registration is current and numbers are affixed to the boat properly. Boat registration is handled by the DNR. -- Everyone on board should wear a personal flotation device. -- Make sure bow and stern lights work, and you know when sunset occurs. -- Carry a toolbox, first aid kit, signaling device and anchor. “Know the laws and follow them to stay safe,” Falk said. “Fishing is fantastic fun – and staying safe is part of the fun.” ###