September 4, 2015

Working for you!

Have a Great Labor Day Weekend and Start of the School Year!

Menasha Lock Closed Due to Invasive Species

     The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the presence of an invasive aquatic species, round gobies, below the Neenah dam. As a result, the DNR has coordinated with the Fox River Navigational System Authority to close the Menasha lock indefinitely. This means that boaters will not be able to travel from Little Lake Butte des Morts to Lake Winnebago and back through while the lock system is closed. Normal lock operations will continue at the Appleton, Cedars, Little Kaukauna, Little Rapids and De Pere locks. Officials recognize that this is unfortunate timing before the Labor Day holiday, but it is imperative that immediate action is taken to stop the spread of these invasive species.

     The DNR is asking for assistance from anglers to help determine if the gobies are present upstream of the Neenah and Menasha dams or in Lake Winnebago. Gobies present a real threat to native species in the Lake Winnebago system, like walleye, lake sturgeon, bass, yellow perch, and other game and panfish species. The DNR is continuing to work with local anglers, DNR fisheries and aquatic invasive species team members to set traps and use shocking equipment to determine the range and extent of the population.

     Gobies can be identified by a single, scallop-shaped pelvic fin on the belly of the fish, a black spot on the front dorsal fin, frog-like raised eyes and thick lips. No other native Great Lakes fish possess the single pelvic fin. They range in size from 3 to 6 inches and have mottled gray appearance.

     The gobies that have been caught so far have been taken on hooks baited with pieces of worm. Anglers who catch a goby should kill it and, along with specific information about where and when it was caught, bring it to the DNR Oshkosh office at, 625 E. County Road Y, Suite 700, Oshkosh, WI 54901-9731. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you catch a goby over the Labor Day weekend, please freeze it and bring it in during the following week.

See the press release from the DNR for more information: click here.

See an article from the Appleton Post Crescent for more information: click here.

Greenville 10th Annual Summer Send-Off Parade and Veteran's Ceremony

Last weekend, I had the honor of attending Greenville's 10th Annual Summer Send-Off Parade and Veteran's Ceremony. This event honors those who serve our community and country whether they are veterans, firefighters, or emergency responders. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, Town of Greenville Chairman Jack Anderson, Kip Zilisch from AMVETS Post 30, and I had the opportunity to speak at the event.

The picture above is of two steel beams from the Twin Towers