Dane County to Buy Areas Along Sugar River for Public Fishing Access
March 20, 2008
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive
County Rings in Spring with Three New Fishing Easements
(Madison)….Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced today the County is purchasing three new public fishing access easements along the West Branch of the Sugar River. The easements stretch about 1.5 miles long and are in addition to the 1.25 miles of easements the county secured along the river for public fishing access in 2007.
“After a long cold winter with record snows these additional public fishing opportunities are really welcome. Let’s get outside and enjoy this long overdue spring,” Falk said.
Dane County public fishing access corridors are open for fishing, hiking, wildlife observation, and simply for the enjoyment of the outdoors.
The fishing access easements are on private property and extend 33-feet from the bank. Landowners maintain certain rights and title to their property within the easement corridor. Lands will be marked with easy to identify blue and white signs located at bridges along Britt Valley Road and County Highway G.
“I’m very grateful for the individual property owners who have helped us take care of our streams and open them to the public forever,” said Falk.
Falk also commended the Badger Fly Fishers for their donation to help make the easement purchases possible.
“Thanks to our partners like Badger Fly Fishers and others who help us take care of our streams, Dane County offers premier trout fishing experiences close to home,” Falk said.
The easements are located on the West Branch of the Sugar River on lands owned by David Rhiner, Mark Rhiner, and Lorraine Schlimgen. Purchase price for the three stream easements is $138,900. The Dane County Land and Water Legacy Fund and a $1,000 donation from Badger Fly Fishers will cover the purchases.
In 2004, the West Branch of the Sugar River became the first stream in Wisconsin removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Impaired Waters list.
