Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife invites teachers, educators and volunteers to 2 days of:
“Place Based Learning through Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education”.
This workshop is open to anyone, even those who may want to learn a bit more about fishing to be able to volunteer for local fishing events, or even teach you own family!
Coordinated through Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, This workshop is a partnership with MSU Extension, MSU 4-H Youth Development, Department of Natural Resources, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, schools, and community service organizations and many others to educate young people about our natural resources through FISHING.
This is a workshop based on the Project FISH philosophy of hands on, multiple-contact sportfishing and aquatic resource education. We will offer activities in Aquatic Ecology, Tackle Crafting, People and Fish Management and actual Angling Skills. Participants will leave with curriculum activities, equipment, even a fishing rod & reel, and access to supplies and resources to begin a successful fishing program/club with children in the classroom or in an after school setting. The workshop is partially funded through the BOSCH Community Fund, grants, and donors to Project F.I.S.H. (lunch will be provided)
Contact: Mark Stephens at 517-432-2700, steph143@msu.edu, or Early registration will insure your participation, space is limited. Registration info at http://www.projectfish.org/anrweek2022.pdf
You can register online at
https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3804?&itemcode=3804-ANR2022
Registration deadline: February 28th, 2022
There is a lot to be learned in a couple of days of training. The MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife will hold a Project F.I.S.H. Workshop at MSU’s Campus to on March 8th and 9th, 2022 to educate interested teachers and volunteers, extension and 4-H agents and associates, and even personally, about the fine art of fishing and the importance of caring for Michigan’s vital aquatic resources. Each day will have the same theme “Let’s partner to get kids to care for our aquatic resources by learning to fish through this Sportfishing Education Workshop.”
Project F.I.S.H., leading the instruction, is a mentor-based, community-supported program that will involve many partners including 4-H, schools, sportfishing organizations and mentoring groups within the community. Project F.I.S.H. is a Michigan State University Extension, 4-H based youth development program housed in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and the BOSCH Community Fund, and many donors to the Project FISH program. Our goal in Michigan communities is to educate interested teachers and volunteers with our very exciting and hands-on activities and lessons and leave them with the materials and resources to get kids excited about fishing. Here are the main components of this fishy experience!
Great Lakes Aquatic Ecology: Learn about the things that make our aquatic ecosystems tick by using some very interesting activities involving our Great Lakes watersheds, invertebrates and neat sampling experiments designed to get you INVOLVED. Additional resources and contacts will be given to teachers for follow-up and continued support.
People and Fish in the Michigan’s Watersheds: “How many fish are in that pond and what effect do I have on them?” These are the types of questions that will come up in this fish management and ethics session. What is the difference between an ethic and a regulation? You’ll learn this as well as come up with your own code of ethics. You may learn more about a person by exploring his/her tackle box. Find out about Great Lakes issues and human involvement, like commercial vs. sportfishing, allocation and game laws. You may even say “hmm” a few times. Grab a fish, put it on your shirt, permanently!
Tackle Crafting: This session will get you making the equipment you can use to catch fish. You will use what you learned in aquatic ecology to reproduce an artificial tool for your attempt at catching fish. Fly tying, jig making, snelling hooks and creating worm/crawler harnesses are only a few ingredients of this part of this workshop. Each participant will be given the materials for making harnesses and the knowledge to make these and other look-alikes. In addition, resources for expertise and partners will be given to all participants. This class is a lot of fun.
Angling Skills: This class is the bread and butter. How do I use this fishing rod? Pop can casting and basic skills will lead to proficiency with a variety of rod and reel types. Learn how to catch bass in your backyard and receive the game to teach you and your youth. You will also find the sources of materials to get kids actively involved with fishing, and they can do it in their own backyard. Take home a fishing rod for inspiration and a learning/teaching tool.
During your training, you will be introduced to a variety of individuals and organizations in your area to call on for assistance and expertise. Don’t miss this chance to become involved in introducing this education style to your community. Our common theme will be IT’S FOR THE KIDS!
Contact Mark Stephens for directions and any other information at 517-432-2700.
Michigan State University Room 152 Natural Resources Bldg.
East Lansing MI 48824
From I-96 get to US-127 toward East Lansing
Exit at Trowbridge Rd.
Continue on Trowbridge Rd. through the light at Harrison (now on Campus) Make the first Right (before the parking structure)
The Natural Resources Building is on the left at the light (enter the parking lot before the light if the gate is open, park in the parking structure if not)
