Basic Overview

Monday - Fish

Introduction to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Joe Budd Aquatic Education Center and Fish Camp; Overview of Fish Camp rules and expectations
Fish Facts - fish identification, distinguishing characteristics, habitats, feeding preferences, bag limits
Tackle - rod & reel assembly, cane poles, types of tackle, types of knots, how to select tackle for specific species of fish, maintenance of tackle
Casting - how to cast several types of reels, casting clinic with water rings
Bait - types of live bait, how to catch bait (cast net, dip net), artificial bait
Fishing - how to fish (species specific), catch and release techniques, fish stringers and cooler use, hands-on fishing

Tuesday - Boats

Boats - intro to different types of fishing crafts (jon boat, canoe, etc.), how to operate trolling motors, battery care and safety, navigation
Boating safety - Wildlife Officer presentation of boating and water safety, complete boating safety workbook for certification
Practice boating - oaring and trolling motor operation
Boat fishing and bank fishing

Wednesday - Fish Biology

Fisheries Biologist visit - description of duties and fisheries projects
Fisheries equipment - shocker boat demonstration, telemetry, nets
Cast nets - techniques and practice sessions
Scientific procedures - fish dissection, otilith removal for ageing
Aquatic food chain - use dip nets for collection of organisms for microscope and stereoscope observation, aquatic plant identification, wading birds, reptiles
Fish cleaning - scaling, skinning, filleting
Boat and bank fishing

Thursday - Fishing

Fishing tournament - boat and shore categories, categories for different species of fish, prizes
Fish cleaning - scaling, skinning, filleting
Fish games - rowing competitions, casting contests

Friday - Fish Preperation and Fish Fry