It's Sucker and Carp for Many Kenosha Fishermen

Balancing on a beam that spans the length of the bridge, Tim Wojnicz lowers a large dip net and pulls out Sucker and Carp fish like he's done every spring for the last 45 years. With a bigger mesh, Wojnicz says he can grab fish faster. His timing is perfect. In the waters near Seventh Street and Sheridan Road, fish are leaving Lake Michigan and swimming up the Pike River to spawn. 

"These Suckers are running about three to six pounds on the big ones," Wojnicz said as today's catch flopped on the bridge. "The Sucker is a good tasting meat. The only problem is the bones but when we pickle them, they disintegrate. If you like Herring, it's better than pickled Herring." 

On this sunny afternoon,Wojnicz and his crowd stand out. They talk about how their old fishing spot has changed. The area across from Kenosha's popular La Fogata Mexican Grill is dominated more by Carthage students and parents pushing jogging strollers than fishermen. "This used to be so popular that as soon as you got out of high school, you had to run down here to get a (fishing) spot, said Wojnicz. "Nobody is going to do it after we're gone. This is it."

William Merritt, who plans to smoke the Carp he caught, also remembers those days. The fishermen, who were next door neighbors, grew up a couple blocks from here. Even a stranger can see the deep bond they share.  "It's still fun. It's still good eating. It's just like being a kid again,"Merritt added. "You don't see your buddies all the time but you can come down here and find them."