Angler and aquatic education

Instructor Certification

Instructor Certification

Who are the instructors?

Instructors are people like you. Youth leaders, classroom teachers, fishing club members and civic leaders are encouraged to attend a workshop as a team or form one at the workshop. Successful program models include after-school fishing clubs, summer enrichment classes, family-school/camp adventures, scout merit badges and more.

While this program has traditionally focused on youth, remember to consider adults who may have missed the boat as kids.

Certification Process

People get certified as Angler Education Instructors by attending a training workshop and completing a background check using DNR Form 4100-217 [PDF].

Here are more specifics on the certification process.

Training workshops

Training workshops

Angler education instructor certification workshop

Basic Angler Education instructor certification workshops focus on teaching spin casting and incorporating related topics in a K-12 curriculum, youth development program or adult education. Some workshops feature fly fishing or complementary aquatic resources education programs, while others are linked to our adult Fishing for Dinner program.

Fishing club members, youth leaders, classroom teachers, community center staff and civic leaders are encouraged to attend as a team or form a team at the workshop. Successful models include after-school fishing clubs, summer enrichment classes, school-family events and Boy Scout merit badge training.

General Workshop Information

The following information applies to all training workshops. A list of upcoming workshops is at end of this page.

Audience

Workshops are geared for adults who would like to teach others to fish. Space is limited to 20 to 30 people, depending on size of venue.

Background Checks

Successfully passing a background check is part of the certification process. It is helpful to have this completed before the workshop. Please submit DNR Form 4100-217 [PDF] to us. If you have difficulty with the form, we can help! Contact Cal Sinclair, at 608-419-2078 or Theresa Stabo, at 608-577-6332.

Workshop Fee & Cancellations

Free! Unless otherwise noted, these workshops are free. However, they come at a cost to a small budget to provide them. If you sign up and cannot attend, please contact us by the cancellation deadline so that we can offer your spot to someone on the waiting list and adjust food quantities. Thank you for your consideration.

These workshops are funded by anglers through the Federal Sport Fish Restoration fund. A small percentage of that apportionment supports Angler Education and other Angler R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) programs.

Dietary Notes 

We will feed you! People with food allergies or other dietary restrictions should be advised that while we will attempt to accommodate special dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that no cross-contamination will occur. This information will be collected during the registration process.

Registration

We're gradually updating our registration process. Contact Theresa Stabo, at 608-577-6332 or Cal Sinclair, at 608-419-2078 to register for these workshops, for now.

Workshop Format

Participants have the option of attending in person or virtually, via Teams. Please indicate your preference when you register.

Upcoming Workshops - 2024

Join us at one of the workshops listed below.

Loaner gear

Tackle Loaner Program

No fishing rod? No problem. We have fishing equipment you can borrow at several DNR offices, state parks, and facilities. There is no charge to borrow the equipment – enjoy your day fishing in Wisconsin and return the equipment in the condition you received it (or better) so that the next person can enjoy it.

Check out the fishing equipment contacts page for information on who to contact to find exactly what gear is available near you. If you have general questions about the Tackle Loaner Program, contact Theresa Stabo at 608-577-6332.

Available gear

While special lures and fresh bait are not provided, we generally have the following basic equipment at most sites:

• Spin-casting rods and reels - these reels are push-button style with a closed face and are a good choice for young beginners.
• Spinning rods and reels - these reels have an open bail and allow for greater casting distance.
• Casting plugs.
• Bobbers.
• Hooks, lines and sinkers.

In addition to fishing equipment, some sites (but not all) have fish printing materials, knot-tying practice equipment, Backyard Bass (a casting game) and other educational resources like Fish Packs [PDF]. Fish Packs are stocked with games, stories and activities that help youngsters learn about Wisconsin fish. Check one out or download the link for ideas to create your own. Inquire when you contact or visit a loaner site to see what they offer.

Keep in mind

Before you plan a fishing trip around loaner equipment, know that:

• Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• You may borrow equipment for up to one week unless demand is low in your area. Ask the contact in your area if an extension is possible.

Follow the Golden Rule

• Make proper handling and care of equipment part of your angler or fishing education program.
• If the equipment was damaged, return all the parts with a note explaining what happened.
• Instructions to fix a tangled reel [PDF].

The most popular time for borrowing the equipment is also the busiest time for our field staff - spring and early summer. Please help them out by returning the equipment clean and in good working order. If something breaks -- which sometimes happens -- fix it if you can, or bring the problem to our staff's attention so the next group will have functional equipment. Your help with maintenance frees up our field staff for stocking fish, working on habitat projects, keeping our parks in tip-top shape and providing visitor services.

Adopt a fishing tackle loaner site

Many tackle loaner sites would welcome help with equipment maintenance. This would be a great volunteer service project for scouts, students, fishing clubs or anyone who'd like to pitch in and ensure that our gear is in shape for beginner anglers. Materials will be provided for re-spooling and general clean-up. Loaner sites that want help are marked with a VM. Locate the site nearest you on the fishing equipment contacts page and call them to find out how you can help. Thank you!

Clinics

Clinics

Upcoming Clinics

Don't forget about Free Fishing Weekend, always the first weekend in June and the third weekend in January - no license required. Mark your calendars now to plan your next Free Fishing Weekend outing for your organization or friends and family:

• Free Fishing Weekend - Winter, Jan. 20 & 21, 2024
• Free Fishing Weekend - Summer, June 1 & 2, 2024

¿Habla usted español?

Necesitamos pescadores que hablen español para patrocinar o ayudar en nuestras clínicas de pesca. Estos eventos enseñan a pescar a gente de todas edades.

Por favor déjenos saber que usted habla español si usted va ofrecer una clínica de pesca, o si va ayudar como voluntario, e incluiremos un aviso que “se habla español” en el anuncio de estos eventos en nuestro sitio web.

Koj puas paub hais lus hmoob?

Peb xav yuav neeg uas paub hais lub hmoob los qhuas qhia neeg txhua lub noob nyoog txog nuv ntses. Yog nej muaj lus xav qhuas qhias thiab txawj hais lub hmoob, thov nej qhia rau peb paub. Yog nej xav tuaj pab thiab paub lub hmoob, thov nej qhia rau peb thiab. Peb mam li tshaj tawm rau ntawm peb lub Web site kom txhua tus hnov tias muaj neeg uas paub hais lus hmoob tuaj qhia txog nuv ntses.

Plan a fishing clinic

Anytime is a good time to start planning a fishing clinic. Download the Fishing Clinic Planner [PDF] to help you organize yourself. Return your completed form to the Angler Education Office at the DNR. Contact the Angler R3 Office if you would like a planning form mailed to you.

Participants 16 years or older likely will need fishing licenses to fish at most events unless they occur on Free Fishing Weekend. Call contacts for complete information.

Borrow a rod, keep the memories

No fishing pole? No worries. Contact a Tackle Loaner site at one of several state parks and DNR regional offices to borrow one. Pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water.

Fishing Base Camp

Get ready to fish safely

No matter if your fishing base camp is at home, at school, or a combination, Badgers know that we all need to keep working together to stay healthy. We're all keeping our distance, staying at least one fishing pole length from other anglers, and taking care to wash our hands often. Here is information to get you started.

Base camp resources

Teachers, parents and leaders – look here!

Check out these classroom and camp resources where math, science, social studies, and writing meet the great outdoors, close to home in these engaging lesson plans. Many reinforce state academic standards and will get kids out in the backyard or to nearby waters while sneakily keeping their academic skills up to snuff.

Junior Angler is designed for anglers in grades 4 - 8, and Hook, Line & Thinker is geared for grades 7 -12. Mix and match to suit your anglers' needs.

Messed up your reel? Here's how to fix it [PDF].

Into the Outdoors

Into the Outdoors [exit DNR] creates pathways to environmental awareness and outdoor lifestyles. Explore the underwater mysteries of fish and fishing right here! [exit DNR]