McFarland in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fish Camp Launch
Carp Seining in the Yahara Lakes
In 1934, the WCD [Wisconsin Conservation Department] hired seining crews and established rough-fish camps. Fish Camp Launch was one of several removal facilities. Carp were harvested by seining and herded into holding pens. They were shipped live in tank trucks to stock ponds in other states or packed in ice and sent by rail to fresh fish markets in Chicago and New York. Carp was used for gefullte fish and as animal feed and fertilizer. Over 9,000 tons of rough fish were harvested at this fish camp during its years of operation.
The DNR [Department of Natural Resources] discontinued Yahara Lakes seining in 1969 because of declining carp markets and increasing operational costs.
Erected 2003 by the Dane County Historical Society. (Marker Number 39.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 42° 59.004′ N, 89° 15.895′ W. Marker is in McFarland, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is on Fish Camp Road, 0.2 miles east of County Highway AB, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located in Fish Camp Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3383 Fish Camp Road, Mc Farland WI 53558, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. How to catch 30,000 carp (within shouting distance of this marker); Working at Fish Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); All about nets (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Too many carp (about 300 feet away); Carp for sale (about 400 feet away); Seasons of Fish Camp (about 500 feet away); Village of McFarland (approx. 2.4 miles away); Robert Marion La Follette, Sr. (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McFarland.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.