Boat fee helps support Gile Park

GILE, Wis. — A new fee to use the Gile Flowage boat landing at the park didn’t stop fishermen from heading out on the water Monday.

The daily fee costs $5 and the annual fee is $25, both on the honor system, according to a poster at the park in Gile.

Around a dozen boat trailers were parked at the park Monday morning on a sunny, ideal day for spring fishing, after a weekend of cold, wet weather.

One boater about to head out onto the flowage approached by a reporter was unaware of the new fee, which was posted on the side of the information kiosk at the landing. After he thought about it, he said he supports the stickers because boat landings on the flowage have been improved.

City clerk Sue Lesky said many of the boaters hadn’t paid the fee Monday and the city of Montreal would take steps to follow through.

Proceeds go to pay for maintenance of the park, where the boat launch was renovated last year.

“It helps keep everything going,” Lesky said.

Annual boat launch stickers can be purchased at the Montreal City Hall at 54 Wisconsin Ave., near the river.

There are collection envelopes at the site for daily or annual fees.

The fees began on May 30.

—Ralph Ansami