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.
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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
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Welcome!
I live in Greenville, but have an
office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in
downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say
hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda,
and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318
North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my
office contact information.
If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol
building, please let me know in advance. I'd
love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a
group photo.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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