John Kass

December 15, 2011

Authorities in Wisconsin will release an invasive species this month to kill another invasive species.

More than 1,000 tiny stingless wasps the size of a grain of rice will be let go at Riveredge Nature Center in the Town of Saukville later in May in the hope that they destroy another insect - the highly destructive emerald ash borer.

This is the first time Wisconsin has experimented with the wasps to kill emerald ash borers, and it will become the 10th state to experiment with the insect.

Officials in Wisconsin said that the wasps present no threat to the public.

City officials want ice anglers to drop their lines somewhere other than the big pond at Portage's Pauquette Park.

But if city employees see anyone cutting a hole in the ice, which also is a popular winter skating spot, all they can do is say, "Please don't."

This situation is more than a little frustrating for Tim Raimer, the city's manager of parks, recreation and forestry, who worries that an angler's unfilled holes might cause a skater to fall and sustain a serious injury.

It's not an abstract concern. At least one skater has had an ankle injury this winter, Raimer said, after tripping over a hole that appeared to have been drilled for ice fishing on the frozen surface of the Pauquette Park pond.

But Raimer said a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources official told him early this week that, even though the pond has a state license as a fish farm, people cannot be prohibited from ice fishing on the pond. Nor can they be cited, either by city officials or state game wardens, for doing so.

"What are we going to do? We're in a Catch-22," he said.

On the one hand, no one has the authority to keep ice fishing off the lake. On the other hand, Raimer said, the city could be legally liable if a skater is seriously injured by any obstacle on the ice, including a fishing hole.

Wisconsin wildlife officials say they can help your kids beat cabin fever. The cure: ice fishing lessons.

The Department of Natural Resources plans to hold its 19th annual children's ice fishing clinics on park ponds and lagoons around Milwaukee and Waukesha counties on Saturday, Feb. 6. Agency officials say the clinics are a great way to introduce youths to the sport.

The clinics are free. Kids learn about ice safety and fishing techniques. Equipment and snacks will be provided.

Each clinic starts on the hour and lasts about 45 minutes. Classroom instruction will take place regardless of the weather and ice conditions.

Clinic locations are available at http://www.dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1558