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Rep. Joel Kleefisch (608) 266-8551
Group Lauds His Work in Bringing Tournaments to Wisconsin
March 15, 2012
MADISON – Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) has been honored by the Wisconsin Bass Federation with
the organization’s President’s Award. Kleefisch was cited for his work last year in authoring and passing
Assembly Bill 35, which lifted the state ban on culling and is helping draw fishing tournaments to Wisconsin.
The bill passed both the Assembly and the Senate on May 10, 2011 and was signed into law by Governor
Walker.
“I’m proud to receive the award, but I’m even prouder of the fact that the new law allows communities across the
state to reap the economic benefits of hosting national competitive bass fishing tournaments,” said Kleefisch, who
represents the 38th Assembly District.
Wisconsin was the last state that did not allow anglers to replace a bass in the boat’s live well with a larger one.
“While all our neighboring states were gaining the economic benefits of tournaments, Wisconsin was being passed
over,” Kleefisch said. “It’s great that the hard work of the fishing community could fix that.”
