Men Sentenced For Jefferson County Fish Kill

Channel3000.com


Men To Pay More Than $15,000 In Fines

JEFFERSON, Wis. -- Two western Wisconsin commercial fishermen will lose their fishing licenses for three years and pay fines for a massive fish kill in Jefferson County.

In court, one of the fishermen, Steve Kallenbach, said the incident that happened last fall was a mistake.

"It was just a bad day at the office," Kallenbach said.

Kallenbach and John Bruring pleaded guilty and were convicted for possession of illegal fish. They will pay $15,477.75 each in fines.

The men had a contract with the state to net carp in Lake Koshkonong. But according to court records, the Department of Natural Resources found evidence the two also illegally netted more than 600 game fish near the town of Sumner.

Lawyers for both men said the move was a mistake.

The judge said she was disturbed by their plot to cover up their mistake.

"The intent after the fact is pretty clear -- watching until the warden is gone and then giving the all clear to employees to bury or otherwise dispose of the dead game fish," said Judge Jacqueline Erwin.

The judge said she hopes the incident doesn't further harm the lake.

"These game fish belong to the people of Wisconsin and by not sorting them, many were lost," Erwin said. "The statutes are intended to make a level playing field and to try and husband our resources."

In court both men said it will be difficult for them to come up with the more than $15,000 in fines and penalties, especially without having a fishing license.

Lake Koshkonong vacationers have a blast, boost local economy

GazetteXtra

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According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, Rock County was ranked 12th in the state in tourism spending, with estimated revenues last year at $217 million.

The Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau reports a total of 1,500 campsites around Lake Koshkonong. Milton Town Clerk Sandy Kunkel said municipalities estimate that when summer vacationers are at the lake, the local population doubles.

For the local economy, the impact is obvious.

From USGS - Gauge Done Blew Up

Lightning took it out last week. We had someone there earlier this week to fix it and it ran for about 2hrs then quit. I think he's planning on heading out there today again.

Robert Waschbusch
USGS

Turns out, they are Mute Swans...

Hello Brian,
Thanks for all the work you do for our lake and surrounding area. Thought you might like to see a pic I took on Mud Lake.
Steve Brown
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I guess these are the "bad" kind of swans - an invasive species....

Mute Swan Issues in Wisconsin

Heat advisory goes into effect at noon today

Lake Koshkonong offers RELIEF!

Half of Wisconsin’s counties, including Rock, Walworth, Green and Jefferson, are under a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. today, according to a special weather alert from the National Weather Service, Sullivan.

Today’s temperatures are expected to hit the upper 90s with heat index readings between 99 and 104. Hot weather will continue into Wednesday when the thermometer is expected to top out in the mid 90s along with heat index readings around 95.

Relief, however, will come Thursday along with much cooler weather and daytime high temperatures of only in the lower 70s.

Lake Koshkonong - Getting Thar....

Desired Water Level Reached on Lake Koshkonong

Today - 777.05

Anyone flooded by the RKLD's proposed new water level for the lake and river?

Six-tenths of an inch above the proposed water level of 777.0

Lake Koshkonong at 777.15

Brian:
The attached pictures were taken at 11:30 Sunday morning in Pikes Bay....water level was at 777.15. Please Appellate Court take notice....our lake can handle the requested 777.00 water level.
Thank You

Rock River and climate change

From the Janesville Gazette

The session will take place starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at the UW Extension Jefferson County office, 864 Collins Road, Jefferson. Presentations will run from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. followed by a facilitated discussion until noon.