The Lakeshore Chapter of Trout Unlimited is an all-volunteer organization that was founded in 1983 and serves the cold water fisheries of Kewanee, Calumet, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties. With 200+ members, the LSTU organization has a rich history and is an active leader in the conservation community creating and caring for multi-use resource areas for future generations.
Happy New Year!! Lakeshore TU had an amazing year in 2022. We continued our decades long tradition of leading cold water conservation efforts in our area and added new youth education components that have long been a goal of our Chapter. We saw our membership grow and volunteer involvement in workdays increase. We began new partnerships with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Camp Y-Koda and we maintained the strong partnerships with the DNR, land owners, local schools and the Sheboygan County Conservation Association that are so important to our mission. I am so proud of the work that we did and immensely grateful to all individuals who volunteered time to support the mission of the Chapter. Without all of you, none of our work can happen. So, let's take a look back on a great year for Lakeshore TU and give you a brief glimpse into our plans for 2023.
What we accomplished in 2022:
Habitat Improvement and cold water conservation:
LSTU continued to work in constant partnership with the Wisconsin DNR and private land owners to maintain and improve the cold-water habitat of Sheboygan County’s Onion River Fishery Area and Streambank Protection Area.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/FisheriesAreas/4873onionriver.html
LSTU volunteers play a prominent role in habitat improvement and maintenance. We work closely with the fisheries biologist, the forester and other DNR personnel and hold several permits that allow us to work independently on specific improvement projects. In 2022, much of our volunteer work was directed in two general areas: first, we repaired existing bank covers installed years ago to improve trout habitat and we reinforced banks that have eroded due to high water events over time. Second, we removed dozens of fallen trees that cause major log jams in the streams. Emerald ash borer has hit the stream corridor extremely hard causing trees to snap off many feet off the ground and fall into the water. Some float free and some remain partially attached creating a very dangerous situation. All contribute to numerous log jams. Log jams are a detriment to the cold water environment because they slow water flow, increase sedimentation and degrade cold-water habitats by increasing the water temperature. Logjams also make fishing access extremely difficult and potentially dangerous. LSTU volunteers held monthly work days many focused on removal of these fallen trees and log jams. Literally hundreds of volunteer hours were spent on this activity in 2022. This work has insured the high quality of the environment and continued safe access to this unique public fishing resource.
In total LSTU held 10 habitat improvement work days in 2022. These workdays saw an average 8 volunteers working for about 4 hours each. Total volunteer hours including planning, prep, execution and clean - up are approximately 40 hours per event. We also monitor water temperatures year round on these waters. Total volunteer hours in 2022 spent on conservation efforts on the Onion River, Ben Nutt Creek and Mill Creek is about 400 hours.
In April 2022 we organized and led a tree planting at Camp Y-Koda that drew 20 volunteers and planted 180 trees.
Youth Education work:
Camp Y- Koda - Fly tying for Camp Safari. Four TU volunteers taught a group of fifteen 11 & 12 year olds how to tie a fly. The volunteers prepared the materials and gave instruction so that each child could tie a fly to use on a fishing experience later that week. Each volunteer spent about four to five hours between prep and instruction.
Boy Scout Fish-o-ree - Five TU volunteers spent a full 10 hour day teaching workshops that helped about 50 Scouts earn their fly fishing merit badge. LSTU also provided all of the equipment (rods & reels, flies etc) for the Scouts to learn the skills for the merit badge.
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) - LSTU sponsors four local school TIC programs. These programs are located in Random Lake, Plymouth, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac. Science classes raise trout from egg stage to fingerlings then release them into the wild. The program lasts much of the school year. Kids learn many lessons about biology and chemistry as they raise the young trout. LSTU volunteers work closely with the teachers and the DNR to organize, deliver and maintain the equipment. We also participate in the release of the trout fingerlings into the wild.
Looking ahead:
We will continue to be focused on cold water conservation, habitat improvement and youth education in 2023. Our monthly habitat improvement workdays will continue to be the second Saturday of every month. We will have an Earth Day tree planting on April 22nd on the land adjacent to the Onion River at the Hwy U public fishing area south of Plymouth. Our Trout in the Classroom program continues in 2023 with four classrooms across the area. We are very excited to be working closely with the Girl Scouts to offer a Stream Girls camp at Camp Evelyn in June. In August we will be supporting a fly fishing camp for a dozen 10 - 12 year olds at Camp Y-Koda. We expect to again support the Boy Scouts for their fish-o-ree in September. Volunteers are needed for all of these events. You don't need to be an expert just willing to help. Please contact me to get involved.
If you have questions or would like more information please call me, Al Wortz at 920 889 1503 or email me at alwortz@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
March 11th: Habitat Improvement Work Day 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Winooski Dr. Lot, 1/2 mi east of Cnty E, Plymouth, WI - Weather Permitting
March 21st: Chapter Meeting - 7:00 PM at Camp Y-koda 3340 Sunset Rd, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 Guest Speaker: Licensed Guide Gordy Martin will talk fly fishing the Onion River
April 8th: Habitat Improvement Work Day - 9:00 AM - Winooski Dr. Lot, 1/2 mi east of Cnty E, Plymouth, WI - Weather Permitting
We appreciate all of our sponsors with special recognition to Aventuron for their immense support and Camp Y Koda for the use of their facilities.
LSTU Officers and Board Members:
Here are the leaders of Lakeshore Trout Unlimited:
President: Al Wortz
Vice President: Miles Thompson
Treasurer: Herb Twiss
Secretary: Jeff Yax
Board Member: Chris Clough
Board Member: Larry Doebert
Board Member: Wendy Lutzke
Past President: Myk Hranicka
If you have any questions or are interested in joining us please contact Al Wortz at 920 889 1503
What we accomplished in 2022:
Habitat Improvement and cold water conservation:
LSTU continued to work in constant partnership with the Wisconsin DNR and private land owners to maintain and improve the cold-water habitat of Sheboygan County’s Onion River Fishery Area and Streambank Protection Area.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/FisheriesAreas/4873onionriver.html
LSTU volunteers play a prominent role in habitat improvement and maintenance. We work closely with the fisheries biologist, the forester and other DNR personnel and hold several permits that allow us to work independently on specific improvement projects. In 2022, much of our volunteer work was directed in two general areas: first, we repaired existing bank covers installed years ago to improve trout habitat and we reinforced banks that have eroded due to high water events over time. Second, we removed dozens of fallen trees that cause major log jams in the streams. Emerald ash borer has hit the stream corridor extremely hard causing trees to snap off many feet off the ground and fall into the water. Some float free and some remain partially attached creating a very dangerous situation. All contribute to numerous log jams. Log jams are a detriment to the cold water environment because they slow water flow, increase sedimentation and degrade cold-water habitats by increasing the water temperature. Logjams also make fishing access extremely difficult and potentially dangerous. LSTU volunteers held monthly work days many focused on removal of these fallen trees and log jams. Literally hundreds of volunteer hours were spent on this activity in 2022. This work has insured the high quality of the environment and continued safe access to this unique public fishing resource.
In total LSTU held 10 habitat improvement work days in 2022. These workdays saw an average 8 volunteers working for about 4 hours each. Total volunteer hours including planning, prep, execution and clean - up are approximately 40 hours per event. We also monitor water temperatures year round on these waters. Total volunteer hours in 2022 spent on conservation efforts on the Onion River, Ben Nutt Creek and Mill Creek is about 400 hours.
In April 2022 we organized and led a tree planting at Camp Y-Koda that drew 20 volunteers and planted 180 trees.
Youth Education work:
Camp Y- Koda - Fly tying for Camp Safari. Four TU volunteers taught a group of fifteen 11 & 12 year olds how to tie a fly. The volunteers prepared the materials and gave instruction so that each child could tie a fly to use on a fishing experience later that week. Each volunteer spent about four to five hours between prep and instruction.
Boy Scout Fish-o-ree - Five TU volunteers spent a full 10 hour day teaching workshops that helped about 50 Scouts earn their fly fishing merit badge. LSTU also provided all of the equipment (rods & reels, flies etc) for the Scouts to learn the skills for the merit badge.
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) - LSTU sponsors four local school TIC programs. These programs are located in Random Lake, Plymouth, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac. Science classes raise trout from egg stage to fingerlings then release them into the wild. The program lasts much of the school year. Kids learn many lessons about biology and chemistry as they raise the young trout. LSTU volunteers work closely with the teachers and the DNR to organize, deliver and maintain the equipment. We also participate in the release of the trout fingerlings into the wild.
Looking ahead:
We will continue to be focused on cold water conservation, habitat improvement and youth education in 2023. Our monthly habitat improvement workdays will continue to be the second Saturday of every month. We will have an Earth Day tree planting on April 22nd on the land adjacent to the Onion River at the Hwy U public fishing area south of Plymouth. Our Trout in the Classroom program continues in 2023 with four classrooms across the area. We are very excited to be working closely with the Girl Scouts to offer a Stream Girls camp at Camp Evelyn in June. In August we will be supporting a fly fishing camp for a dozen 10 - 12 year olds at Camp Y-Koda. We expect to again support the Boy Scouts for their fish-o-ree in September. Volunteers are needed for all of these events. You don't need to be an expert just willing to help. Please contact me to get involved.
If you have questions or would like more information please call me, Al Wortz at 920 889 1503 or email me at alwortz@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
March 11th: Habitat Improvement Work Day 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Winooski Dr. Lot, 1/2 mi east of Cnty E, Plymouth, WI - Weather Permitting
March 21st: Chapter Meeting - 7:00 PM at Camp Y-koda 3340 Sunset Rd, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 Guest Speaker: Licensed Guide Gordy Martin will talk fly fishing the Onion River
April 8th: Habitat Improvement Work Day - 9:00 AM - Winooski Dr. Lot, 1/2 mi east of Cnty E, Plymouth, WI - Weather Permitting
We appreciate all of our sponsors with special recognition to Aventuron for their immense support and Camp Y Koda for the use of their facilities.
LSTU Officers and Board Members:
Here are the leaders of Lakeshore Trout Unlimited:
President: Al Wortz
Vice President: Miles Thompson
Treasurer: Herb Twiss
Secretary: Jeff Yax
Board Member: Chris Clough
Board Member: Larry Doebert
Board Member: Wendy Lutzke
Past President: Myk Hranicka
If you have any questions or are interested in joining us please contact Al Wortz at 920 889 1503
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Monthly MeetingsThe chapter meets every third Tuesday of the month at Camp YKoda in Sheboygan Falls. We encourage anyone in the area who might have interest in joining to stop by and check us out! |
Work DaysThe chapter meets every second Saturday of the month, weather permitting, for stream brushing, river improvements or any other special projects. |
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