Chippewa Valley Times

The waves of Gitche Gumee rolled high this afternoon. Churning brown crests surged and crashed onto the beach at Wisconsin Point on Lake Superior, dragging large hunks of driftwood up and down the sand. The size of the waves was heightened as freighter ships cruised by.

The Great Lake called to a group of 15 UW-Stout students, even as the cold spray clung to their faces and water threatened to fill their waders.

They had been waiting for this – “Fish Camp” – their affectionate name for the fourth and final week of the hybrid summer Ichthyology course, where they learned about fish biology and the diversity of species in Wisconsin.

Students watched the waves on Lake Superior, preparing to take out the seine nets. For the first three weeks of the course, Professor Mike Bessert provided his students with online video introductions about fish species, methods of research, and regional relevance.

Their goal was to become familiar with the major families of fishes represented in the state; deepen their knowledge of taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology; and learn about fisheries industry impact and management efforts.

“We are fortunate in Wisconsin to be located at the interface of a wide variety of aquatic systems – clear, cold streams of the Driftless Area, slow-moving marshes and wetlands, northern bogs, two of the Great Lakes and, of course, the St. Croix and Mississippi River main stems – home to more than 150 species of native freshwater fishes as well as an increasing number of invasive species such as round gobies and bighead carp,” explained Bessert who designed the course 15 years ago.

The course is open to undergraduates as part of Stout Core foundational general education classes at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. Through Stout Core students gain skills in natural sciences communication analytic ethical reasoning social responsibility so they graduate ready for day one.

The natural sciences requirement aims to introduce students to physical world phenomena through astronomy geology biology chemistry physics.

“It seemed like a fun course to take to expand my knowledge on something that not a lot people are aware,” said Tonn from Maple Wis just 10 miles from Lake Superior “It was very exciting week I was shocked how fast it went by I would recommend anyone interested.”

The “Fish Camp” home base is Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary nature preserve learning center near Sarona 70 miles north UW-Stout another Lake Superior

They spent time fishing from canoes kayaks local chain lakes collecting studying fish site observing spawning sunfish species

They visited gushing waterfall flooded heavy summer rains traveled various fish-related destinations including Iron River National Fish Hatchery Everett’s Fisheries processing business Port Wing owned family former student

One early foggy morning group left Hunt Hill headed Great Lakes Aquarium Duluth Minn Bessert friends aquarium director gave behind-the-scenes tour

Then headed back across two-mile-long Bong Memorial Bridge Wisconsin Point peninsula off shore Superior Located within Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve point part world’s largest freshwater bay mouth sand bar

Students piled out vehicles pulled waders headed shore helped Bessert fitted drysuit which kept warmer waded past chest draw arc 100-foot-long seine fishing net weights bottom floats top keep upright

Students stayed nearer shore wading up waists bring seine using long walking sticks found beach test water depth each step

As waves kicked surf net caught more bits driftwood than fish first Wind picked inland blew through bogs drove unexpected visitor lakeshore

Terry Mortier retired metal worker Hudson travels around state photographing natural wonders photographing indigenous butterfly species inhabit bogs when started too windy cloudy cold butterflying

“You could say weather drew more accurately drove lake” said Mortier joined class few hours captured experience camera

Vivid memories family smelting adventures kid came mind Mortier watched students pull first couple runs seine

“I drawn excitement couldn’t wait see what seine pulled shore Excitement last part pull net closing fish starting bump apparent students’ faces contagious” he said

Students drew seine Bessert pulled eight-pound two-foot-long redhorse native sucker largest fish caught took turns taking photos redhorse felt natural slick sliminess sheer strength wrestled free grasp released back water

In another draw net brought black crappie several invasive gobies black bullhead catfish

“I super excited we caught catfish this species wrote life history paper class assignment” said Jay Tie video production student Lakeville Minn “As peers busy working trying catch more spent looking catfish”

“I later found classmates bullheads venom spines fins sting Looking back photo seeing where fins touching hand grateful didn’t decide hurt me” he said

On another day water calm Allouez Bay along Wisconsin Point reflected blue sky above towering pines sandstone shore They waded up chests drag smaller seines shore took turns carrying handheld nets shocker backpack electrofishing

Backpack connected insulated six-foot wand wearer used sweep water send electric current temporarily paralyze allowing other protected current waders net gather observe species rose surface released Method frequently used Department Natural Resources during surveys population counts

Explored biodiversity bog spring peeper frogs called ferns marsh grasses rustled breeze Entering boots sucked soft mud trudged shallows shocker nets using arms balance Classmates observed wooden bridge feet above

Back Hunt Hill hands-on lab referred dichotomous key live preserved specimens identify unknown

“I took part because always loved amazing experience getting know field gave whole new perspective” said Jake Swanson applied mathematics computer science major Eden Prairie Minn

“It hard work everyone worked together used resources identify different caught during day took hours fun time debating over type looking added Swanson focus aquatic use mathematics computer skills analyze scales under microscope identify details better understand counting number rays fin head tail tedious labs bonding moments many debates yellow perch laughing Professor started doze corner clock hit appreciated welcoming especially those unfamiliar field excited opportunity spend week outdoors nervous lack experience Even lack found waist-deep helping giant using only ended catching size hand huge win production graphic design student so many enjoyed offered opportunity space otherwise felt belong not type person go fishing though liked outdoors One favorite moments studying final visiting stations around room pointing different trying remember scientific family names Professor joined excitement shouting ‘Yes!’ recalled information learning over week”

Other ichthyology students were:

Allison Bolterman environmental Champlin Minn

Miguel Heegeman industrial design Marshfield

Oliver Hinds animation digital media Maple Grove Minn

Elias Jeska Somerset

Lyndsey Krist Oak Creek

Paulette Lambert St Paul

Ben McDonald Circle Pines Minn

Zack McFadden interactive media Lakeville Minn

Theresa Stanislaw Menomonie Amanda Valest Warrens Brianna Wallin human development family studies Caledonia Trev Wood St Paul

“It nice meeting Michael certainly gave them experience remember challenging weather turbulent lake combined excitement collecting camaraderie trip provided far beyond classroom Memories last lifetime”