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.
Lakeshore TU is recognized as one of the top conservation organizations in Wisconsin. We are leaders and doers of habitat restoration on our local trout streams and the public lands that border them. We are actively involved in youth outdoor education partnering with local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sheboygan County Conservation Association and Camp Y-Koda to share our love of nature and fishing with the next generation. Finally, our membership enjoys sharing their passion for trout fishing and conservation in monthly get togethers that feature guest speakers, conversation and camaraderie.
Recent Chapter Awards:
Wisconsin State TU - 2018 Silver Trout Award
Sheboygan County Conservation Association (SCCA) - 2022 Water Conservationists of the Year
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation - 2022 Wisconsin Land Conservationists of the Year
Wisconsin Conservation Congress - 2022 Wisconsin Conservation Organization of the Year
Lake Michigan Stakeholders - 2023 Champions of Conservation
Habitat Improvement and cold water conservation:
LSTU works 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 Stream bank 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 2023, much of our volunteer work will be directed in two general areas: first, we will repair existing bank covers installed years ago to improve trout habitat and we will reinforce banks that have eroded due to high water events over time. The work will occur upstream of County E. Secondly, we will continue our work on Ben Nutt Creek upstream of the confluence with Mill Creek that forms the Onion River.
We also conducted a successful Earth Day tree planting along the Onion south of County U. In all 24 people of all ages planted 75 native species trees along both the east and west banks of the Onion. Most of the trees were 5 to 9 ft tall burr and swamp white oak that can live hundreds of years.
Youth Education work:
Sheboygan Falls Outdoor Activity day - Organized by the SCCA and Camp Y-Koda, this free fishing event generally sees over 3000 attendees for a day of family outdoor fun and fishing. Lakeshore TU and Aventuron will hosted a booth featuring fly casting demonstrations.
https://sheboygancountyymca.org/camp-y-koda/event-detail.html?s=297&co_id=103983&v=1
STREAMGirls Camp - In partnership with the Girl Scouts our Chapter conducted our first StreamGirls camp for fifteen 9 - 11 year old girls in June. The camp utilizes the TU STREAM format combined with traditional Girl Scout summer camp activities. Chapter members led sessions and mentored the kids for the STREAM content. The camp was a tremendous success.
Camp Y-Koda - STREAM Camp. LSTU co-hosted a STREAM camp with Camp Y-Koda in early August. This Camp was open to boys and girls and sold out with fifteen kids attending. The kids learned about cold water conservation, critters that live in rivers, learned to fly cast and tie a foam beetle that they then used on a fly rod to catch bluegills in the Camp pond. For every kid, catching a fish on a fly rod was a new and exciting experience. What a tremendous joy to see these kids in action!
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 2024. Our monthly habitat improvement workdays will continue to be the second Saturday of every month.
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:
November - No meeting or workday do to hunting season and Thanksgiving
December 19th: Lakeshore TU Holiday Party and Awards - 7:00 PM at Camp Y-Koda W3340 Sunset Rd, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 - Members, friends and sponsors are invited to join us for a celebration of our achievements in 2023.
We appreciate all of our sponsors and partners with special recognition to Aventuron for their immense support, the Wisconsin DNR, Sheboygan County Conservation Association 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: Lori Mosher- Paulin
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
Recent Chapter Awards:
Wisconsin State TU - 2018 Silver Trout Award
Sheboygan County Conservation Association (SCCA) - 2022 Water Conservationists of the Year
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation - 2022 Wisconsin Land Conservationists of the Year
Wisconsin Conservation Congress - 2022 Wisconsin Conservation Organization of the Year
Lake Michigan Stakeholders - 2023 Champions of Conservation
Habitat Improvement and cold water conservation:
LSTU works 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 Stream bank 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 2023, much of our volunteer work will be directed in two general areas: first, we will repair existing bank covers installed years ago to improve trout habitat and we will reinforce banks that have eroded due to high water events over time. The work will occur upstream of County E. Secondly, we will continue our work on Ben Nutt Creek upstream of the confluence with Mill Creek that forms the Onion River.
We also conducted a successful Earth Day tree planting along the Onion south of County U. In all 24 people of all ages planted 75 native species trees along both the east and west banks of the Onion. Most of the trees were 5 to 9 ft tall burr and swamp white oak that can live hundreds of years.
Youth Education work:
Sheboygan Falls Outdoor Activity day - Organized by the SCCA and Camp Y-Koda, this free fishing event generally sees over 3000 attendees for a day of family outdoor fun and fishing. Lakeshore TU and Aventuron will hosted a booth featuring fly casting demonstrations.
https://sheboygancountyymca.org/camp-y-koda/event-detail.html?s=297&co_id=103983&v=1
STREAMGirls Camp - In partnership with the Girl Scouts our Chapter conducted our first StreamGirls camp for fifteen 9 - 11 year old girls in June. The camp utilizes the TU STREAM format combined with traditional Girl Scout summer camp activities. Chapter members led sessions and mentored the kids for the STREAM content. The camp was a tremendous success.
Camp Y-Koda - STREAM Camp. LSTU co-hosted a STREAM camp with Camp Y-Koda in early August. This Camp was open to boys and girls and sold out with fifteen kids attending. The kids learned about cold water conservation, critters that live in rivers, learned to fly cast and tie a foam beetle that they then used on a fly rod to catch bluegills in the Camp pond. For every kid, catching a fish on a fly rod was a new and exciting experience. What a tremendous joy to see these kids in action!
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 2024. Our monthly habitat improvement workdays will continue to be the second Saturday of every month.
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:
November - No meeting or workday do to hunting season and Thanksgiving
December 19th: Lakeshore TU Holiday Party and Awards - 7:00 PM at Camp Y-Koda W3340 Sunset Rd, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 - Members, friends and sponsors are invited to join us for a celebration of our achievements in 2023.
We appreciate all of our sponsors and partners with special recognition to Aventuron for their immense support, the Wisconsin DNR, Sheboygan County Conservation Association 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: Lori Mosher- Paulin
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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