Take a Stake in the Lakes Days Event List

Saturday, June 4

Underwater Clean Up

Local scuba divers are invited to help clean underwater off the Monona Terrace. Help give back to the lakes we love and to dive in and show that "Divers Can Make A Difference." Bring lift bags and rope to help raise heavy objects and/or mesh bags to collect trash. Come when you can for as long as you can.

Time and Place: 10:00am–3 pm, Big Red Scuba Tent at Law Park, Madison

Contact: Kim Olson, 608-279-3908, Kim@MadisonScuba.com, MadisonScuba/Fontana Sports Specialties, MadisonScuba.com

Arboretum Wingra Oak Savanna Work Party

Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species in an oak savanna near the shore of Lake Wingra.

Time and Place: 9am – noon, Wingra Oak Savanna at the UW Arboretum; meet at the parking lot on Arbor Drive, just off Monroe Street, Madison

Contact: Marion Farrior, mlfarrior@wisc.edu www.uwarboretum.org

State of Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend

DNR’s annual free fishing weekend. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (or trout or salmon stamps) over these two days June 4-5, 2011. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, etc.) apply. This event is designed to encourage families to get out and fish together on Wisconsin waters. Because children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license to fish on any day of the year, the motto for Free Fishing Weekend could be, "Take a grown-up fishing!" Check the DNR's Web site for a listing of special events and clinics, http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/kidsparents/FishingClinics.html

Yahara Fishing Club’s Kids Fishing Day

The first 350 kids aged 14 and under will receive a free fishing combo, or if they bring their fishing combo, will receive a free tackle box. Free live bait and fishing instructions from Yahara Fishing Club members and Greg Karch. Lunch will be served at 11:00 am. Door prizes donated by Wal-Mart will be awarded at 1 pm. More information online here yaharafishingclub.org.

Time and Place: Youth fishing 9 am to noon, youth fishing seminar from 12:30 pm to 1 pm, Warner Park Lagoon/shelter, 1625 Northport Drive, Madison

Contact: Greg Karch, (920) 213-0373, greg.karch@thrivent.com

Isthmus Jazz Festival at the Union Terrace on Lake Mendota

Now in its 23rd year, the Isthmus Jazz Festival is a two-day celebration of America’s homegrown art form. The free festival kicks off the summer season in one of Madison’s most beautiful outdoor settings, the Memorial Union Terrace, with Lake Mendota as a glittering backdrop. A diverse crowd of students, jazz aficionados and casual fans fill the tables to hear a line up that reflects a century’s worth of jazz styles. Dixieland, big-band swing, bebop, Latin jazz and free jazz are all part of the mix, along with contemporary derivations like funk and hip-hop. The festival is committed to honoring jazz’s glorious tradition while keeping one eye fixed on the future.

Time and Place: Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon Street, Madison. 1:00 pm Edgewood Jazz Ensemble; 2:00 UW Jazz Orchestra; 3:15 The Stellanovas; 4:30 Jan Wheaton Quartet; 6:00 Marlin McKay Quintet; 8:00 The Mike Frost Project; 10:00 Grupo Candela.

Contact: Memorial Union, (608) 265-3000, union.wisc.edu/venue-muterrace.htm

Tuesday, June 7

Lakeside Yoga

Start the day with this early morning sun salutation! Bring a mat and join us as we practice in the calm and natural setting of Lake Wingra each Tuesday morning from 6:30 to 7:30 am. Certified instructor Marcella Speich aims to relax, energize and inspire by encouraging her students to be mindful in an ever-moving world. Cost is $15 per session drop in, or $10 if you pre-pay.

Time and Place: 6:30 – 7:30 am, Wingra Park 824 Knickerbocker Street, Madison.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

Thursday, June 9

Paddle with the Birds

Join Wingra Boats’ member bird specialist, Michael Maguire, each Thursday to paddle Lake Wingra in a canoe or kayak while identifying the area’s many birds. Enjoy the early morning quiet, and work with Michael to detect different species both by sight and by sound! Paddle with the Birds is offered every Thursday at Wingra Boats at 6:30 am. Meet 15 minutes before a 1-hour guided trip, plus a free hour of paddle or observation time. Cost is $25.

Time and Place: 6:30 am, Wingra Boats 824 Knickerbocker Street, Madison.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

Stand Up Paddlle-boarding (SUP) & Yoga - Introductory Lessons

Spice up your yoga practice! We’ve combined yoga with the newest paddle sport – stand up paddle-boarding! This unique class is a great way to start your day. Class starts with 15 minutes of on-shore yoga, followed by a 15 minute SUP instruction session and group paddling, ending with 30 minutes of yoga on your board. Offered Thursday mornings at Wingra Park, be ready to start at 7 am! Cost is $25 for a single session or $100 for a package of 5.

Time and Place: 7:00 am, Wingra Park 824 Knickerbocker Street, Madison.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

City of Fitchburg Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Workshop Linking Land Use and Water Quality

The City of Fitchburg will hold a public workshop on in the evening on June 8 and during the day on June 9 regarding the EPA Water Quality Scorecard. This public participation workshop will 1) introduce participants to potential varied techniques to improve water quality. 2) Identify water quality issues in the community, past approaches and the success of the approaches. 3) Focus on how land use affects water quality. 4) Review specific water quality goals and outcomes that are desired in the community. 5) Identify and prioritize strategies that are most compelling to the community

Time and Place: On June 9, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Fitchburg City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, the Workshop will complete numbers 2) through 5) above.

Contact: Fitchburg City Clerk’s Office, (608) 270-4200 city.fitchburg.wi.us.

After Work Paddles on Cherokee Marsh

Unwind with a paddling in Cherokee Marsh. Named one of Wisconsin’s 100 wetland gems, Cherokee Marsh on the Yahara River immediately upstream of Lake Mendota will surprise you. You’ll wonder where Madison went as we paddle upstream. You can reserve a seat in one of the 10-passenger Voyageur canoes or bring your own canoe or kayak. Children allowed with a parent or other responsible adult. Please remember we will be in a canoe for an hour and a half. There is no cost for this event. Flotation vests must be worn. Floatation devices and paddles will be provided. Registration is required. To register, email Sue Josheff telling her whether you will participate in the first of second voyage, the paddlers’ names and if the paddler is a child, the child’s age. Your registration will be completed when you receive a confirmation email.

Time and Place: Two paddling voyages will be held. One will meet at 5:00 pm and leave at 5:15 pm, the other will meet at 6:45 pm and leave at 7:00pm. Both voyages will leave from and return to the School Road boat landing, 5002 School Road, Madison. Heading north on Hwy 113 towards Waunakee, turn right on School Road. At the end of School Road, turn right onto Wheeler Road and take an immediate left into the gravel parking lot. Park in this upper lot and walk about .4 miles to the boat landing, or drive down to the boat landing where there is limited parking. Plan enough time to return to the upper parking lot and walk down if the lower lot is full. Please car pool, if possible.

Contact: Registration is required. You will be sent an email message if the event is cancelled because of weather. Email Sue Josheff telling her whether you will participate in the first of second voyage, the paddlers’ names and if the paddler is a child, the child’s age. Your registration will be completed when you receive a confirmation email.

Saturday, June 11

24th Annual Take a Stake in the Lakes Clean-Up Event

Spring-cleaning for the lakes, brought to you by community groups, businesses, citizens and the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. Clean shorelines, haul weeds, mark storm drains and more. Lakes Mendota and Kegonsa. Learn more at www.takeastakeinthelakes.com.

Time and Place: 9 am–noon

Contact: Rhea Stangel-Maier, 608-224-3601, stangel-maier@countyofdane.com

Annual Marquette Waterfront Festival (Day 1)

A community festival for all, organized by Madison’s near-East-side Marquette Neighborhood Association, featuring food, music, and games for adults and kids on the shore of Lake Monona at Madison’s Yahara Place Park.

Time and Place: All day, Yahara Place Park, Madison

Contact: (608) 241-7143, marquette-neighborhood.org

Wingra Creek Clean Up

Help keep Wingra Creek clean for urban paddling. Bring a friend and your canoe or kayak (or work from the shoreline).

Time and Place: 9am – noon, meet at the Strand and Associates parking lot on Plaenert Drive, located at the steel pedestrian bridge midway between Park Street and Fish Hatchery Road.

Contact: Judi Dilks

Kids Paddles on Lake Wingra

Parents bring your kids for a paddle on Lake Wingra, a 339-acre urban lake with only slow-no wake motorboat traffic and most of the shoreline in public ownership. We’ll paddle twin 11 passenger Voyageur canoes that are very stable for young participants. Children must be at least 5 years old and accompanied by a parent. These paddles will be lead by Sue Josheff from the DNR. . There is no cost for this event. Flotation vests must be worn. Floatation devices and paddles will be provided. Registration is required. To register, email Sue Josheff telling her whether you will participate in the first of second voyage, the paddlers’ names and if the paddler is a child, the child’s age. Your registration will be completed when you receive a confirmation email.

Time and Place: Two paddling voyages for kids will be held. Each voyage will end after 1 hour or when the kids lose interest, whichever comes first. The first voyage will meet at 9:00 am and leave the boat landing at 9:15 am, the other will meet at 10:15 am and leave at 10:30 am. Both voyages will leave from and return to the Wingra Park Boat Landing, 824 Knickerbocker Street, Madison. There is limited space in the Park’s parking lot, but street parking is available.

Contact: Registration is required. You will be sent an email message if the event is cancelled because of weather. Email Sue Josheff telling her whether you will participate in the first of second voyage, the paddlers’ names and if the paddler is a child, the child’s age. Your registration will be completed when you receive a confirmation email.

Arboretum Core Area Work Party

Help improve native habitat and help native plants thrive by removing invasive plant species near Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest prairie restorations in the world. Learn how the Arboretum is managing stormwater for the Lake Wingra watershed.

Time and Place: 9am – noon, Core Area at the UW Arboretum; meet at the Visitor Center front steps, Madison

Contact: Marion Farrior, mlfarrior@wisc.edu www.uwarboretum.org

Tuesday, June 14

Lakeside Yoga

Start the day with this early morning sun salutation! Bring a mat and join us as we practice in the calm and natural setting of Lake Wingra each Tuesday morning from 6:30 to 7:30 am. Certified instructor Marcella Speich aims to relax, energize and inspire by encouraging her students to be mindful in an ever-moving world. Cost is $15 per session drop in, or $10 if you pre-pay.

Time and Place: 6:30 – 7:30 am, Wingra Park 824 Knickerbocker Street, Madison.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

Friday, June 17

Wingra Bridges: Friday Evening Paddle

Start your weekend off right with this great excursion offered by Wingra Boats. We’ll hit two of Madison’s most beautiful lakes on this two-hour trip, starting at Vilas beach on Lake Wingra, heading down Wingra Creek to Lake Monona, and then returning up the creek. This great bonding trip includes portaging around Wingra Dam, passing under 15 of Madison’s bridges, a mid-way snack, and hopefully some wildlife and beautiful birds. Your guides will teach you basic to advanced paddling techniques. Cost is $30 for canoe, $20 for kayak, and $25 for tandem kayak.

Time and Place: Vilas Park Beach, Madison. Contact Wingra Boats for departure time.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

Sunday, June 19

Father-Son Canoe Excursion

Join Dean Leeper and his father David Leeper on this great two-hour canoe trip. We’ll take off from Vilas Beach and paddle to Lake Monona and back along Wingra Creek. This great trip includes two portages, passing under 15 of Madison’s bridges, and a mid-way snack and swim. Cost is $40. Father-Daughter Excursion is also available, contact Wingra Boats.

Time and Place: Vilas Park Beach, Madison. Contact Wingra Boats for departure time.

Contact: Wingra Boats, (608) 233-5332, wingraboats@gmail.com, wingraboats.com.

Family Fishing Fun

Join us in this fun-filled introduction to angling. You’ll see examples of different types of rods and reels, play the “Backyard Bass” fishing game to practice casting, learn how to tie basic fishing knots, and catch worms to use as bait as you fish in our pond! Can you reel in the biggest bullhead, bluegill or minnow? Program will be conducted outdoors, rain or shine, so please dress appropriately. All fishing equipment will be provided by the Wisconsin DNR. Pre-registration recommended; walk-ins accepted. ALNC members: $6/person or $20/family; Non-members: $7/person or $25/family.

Time and Place: 9:30am – 11:30 am, Aldo Leopold Nature Center 300 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI.

Contact: Aldo Leopold Nature Center.