WISCONSIN — This weekend is big for outdoor enthusiasts, as Saturday marked National Trails Day and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hosted its 11th annual Free Fun Weekend.
The DNR’s Free Fun Weekend allows Wisconsinites to fish without a license, enter state parks for free and have trail passes waived.
Because of algae blooms and in some cases, high concentrations of E. coli, many beaches throughout the state remained closed.
Despite that, dozens of families gathered with beach towels and tubes expecting to head to Governor Nelson State Park to swim and enjoy the warm Wisconsin weather. Upon arriving in the parking lot, they heard talk of the beach being closed.
“Don’t even bother walking down to the beach if you are trying to swim. It’s closed today,” one resident said to a family making their way to the beach.
This prompted many hopeful visitors to pack up their gear and find another spot to cool off.
While the beach at Governor Nelson State Park remained empty throughout the day Saturday, the boat launch was very active.
Matt Fredrick tries to get out fishing every week, and he decided to take advantage of Free Fun Weekend by bringing his granddaughter out on Lake Mendota to fish.
“She has been wanting to go fishing all year, and I said I will get you out someday,” said Fredrick.
Wisconsin is home to 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 lakes.
While Fredrick has not explored them all, he hopes to at least inspire his granddaughter to get outside more often.
“If I can get her interested in fishing then I will take her out with me,” said Fredrick. “I have two other granddaughters, and they don’t want to fish at all.”
For an up-to-date status report on which beaches are open in Wisconsin, follow this link.