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Aquaculture: fish playing a part in area farms

Photo

Manager Peter Fritsch holds a tray of fresh trout fillets inside the retail store at Rushing Waters Fisheries in Palmyra. The fishery will host a tour and tasting July 21.

PALMYRA — With seafood’s healthy halo, and the current interest in where our food comes from and how it’s produced, farm-raised fish remains a popular part of the American diet. That’s why during Aquaculture Day, July 21, the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association and statewide fish farmers are partnering to welcome the public to experience fish farming and learn firsthand how locally grown, fresh fish are raised on today’s farms.

“Family, fun and fishing all go hand in hand while Wisconsinites learn about the role aquaculture plays in the state’s economy, local communities and recreational opportunities in providing local healthy food,” says Jeff Taylor, president of the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association and general manager of Star Prairie Trout Farm, one of the fish farms hosting Aquaculture Day.

Throughout the state, individual fish farms -- from fee fishing, aquaponics to stocking operations -- will offer free activities, including farm tours, cooking demonstrations, recipes, fee fishing and educational talks. Farms will offer gourmet tastes, including fresh, smoked and spreads from trout to tilapia, salmon and more for sampling and sale.

Fee fishing, a fun outdoor family activity, offers the experience of getting a fresh catch from a local fish farmer.

Visitors will learn about raising fish and simply have fun fishing.

Rushing Waters Fisheries is participating in the event. This fishery is located on 80 acres at the edge of the southern Kettle Moraine State Forest just south of Palmyra. Rushing Waters offers fee fishing for trout; poles are available for rent and bait is available for sale at the farm. (You cannot use your own poles in their pond.) Smoked trout and salmon as well as spreads are available for purchase at their fully stocked seafood shop. Bring the entire family. Pack a lunch or grill your catch for lunch on the farm.

For Aquaculture Day, Rushing Waters will offer tours and cooking demonstrations. They also will serve lunch featuring grilled trout and salmon burgers. Plus, there will be fishing specials and free tastings of their products. The farm is handicapped accessible.

Participating Wisconsin Aquaculture member fish farms open for tours and tastings during Aquaculture Day include:

-- Rushing Waters Fisheries, Palmyra

-- Bullfrog’s Eat My Fish Farm, Menomonie

-- Nelson & Pade Inc., Montello

-- Silver Moon Springs, Elton

-- Star Prairie Trout Farm, Star Prairie

-- Wilderness Springs Inc., New London

If you go

-- What: Rushing Waters Fisheries tour

-- When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 21

-- Where: N301 County Highway H, Palmyra

-- Events: Tours, cooking demos and serving lunch featuring grilled trout and salmon burgers. There will be fishing specials and free product tastings.

-- Contact: (262) 495-2089, www.wisconsinaquaculture.com, www.rushingwaters.net.