So Much To Do…
The January-February 2017 issue of On Wisconsin Outdoors is on the presses today and on the shelves of your local Kwik Trip, hardware, liquor store, grocery, or rod and gun shop starting tomorrow. We cranked the presses up to kick out 100,000 copies, up from 50,000 when we started this mess in 2007. We appreciate your loyal readership. The new issue is also already posted on this website for the online reader on our homepage.
From browsing through the paper reading columns and scanning the ads, it’s apparent that Wisconsin doesn’t run out of things to do when the deer seasons end. Our hardwater fishing experts talking about Wisconsin lakes in their own backyards will take you from Delavan Lake in the far south to Chequamegon Bay off of Ashland. And don’t forget, it’s show time in Wisconsin, literally. Let’s take a little closer look at what you’ll read about in detail with “On Wisconsin Outdoors” most recent issue. As for the ice fishing, we’ve got you covered Wisconsin. Here’s a sampling.
Captain Dave Duwe tells you why and how to target the perch of Delavan Lake in Walworth County. Well…there’s a lot of perch, they taste good, and Dave knows how to catch them to start. Guides Gary Engberg gives you a great introduction on fishing the productive hardwater around Madison, Phil Schweik gives rookies a course of ice fishing 101 from the lakes and rivers in the Wausau area, and Wayne Morgenthaler tells you where and how to safely fish the Wisconsin River backwaters around Richland Center . I’ve been on those backwaters with Wayne in the summer. It’s hard to pry him off the river any season, and he’s darn good at what he does. We have a lot more ice fishing columns waiting for you, but you get the idea.
The Ashland Chamber of Commerce has this to say (which I happen to also know personally after at least a dozen icefishing trips to Chequamegon Bay for Lake Trout in the deep) about the Lake Superior freeze; “anglers take their pick of excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike and panfish as the hardwater forms along the shores and bays. As the ice reaches out to the Apostle Islands expect to catch all species of trout that regularly exceed 20 pounds in late January vertical jigging in water up to 250 feet deep.” Connect with www.visitashland.com.
With the Lynch GM Superstore in Burlington, enter to win a one-day guided fishing trip with talented guide Eric Haataja on a mutually agreed upon date in March. What can you say about the fishing talent of Eric Haataja? I have also been with him on open water and hardwater writing and taking photos for maybe 10 inland or great lakes stories over the years. Eric is a fish magnet. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Enter in person at the Lynch Gm Superstore at 2300 Browns Lake Drive in Burlington. Or, connect at www.LynchGMSupersore.com or 877-215-1348.
Do you like to stay ahead of the game, and do you like a different kind of guiding experience? You will enjoy the Peshtigo River float trips targeting walleye and smallmouth with guide Gordy Pagel in April and May. I did, and caught lots of big smallies and some walleyes. Big walleyes are there too, I just didn’t catch them. Gordy does. Connect with www.ariverguide.com or 920-841-2118.
What’s that you say? Jack’s Charter Service is catching giant steelhead and browns in the Milwaukee and Racine Harbors? Well you didn’t hear it here. But you will hear it by connecting with www.jackscharterservice.com or 414-482-2336. I’ve been out with the good captain on Lake Michigan. He is good. You will catch fish.
These photos and lots more came in this week from Jack’s Charter Service while fishing the hardwater of the Milwaukee and Racine Harbors.
If you like to ride the trails in Wisconsin’s great northeast, or fish, or do any of 100 other things in Marinette County. Connect with www.Therealnorth.com or 715-732-7453. Marinette County Tourism will help you connect with over 370 miles of well-groomed snowmobile trails, and show you why the hunting and fishing makes Marinette County a top outdoorsmen’s destination.
Maybe you prefer the northcentral part of Wisconsin this trip, but still love those trails and the 1000 lakes that come with the northland. Check out these two great options. Connect with Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce at www.manitowishwaters.com or 715-543-8488 or connect with the Minocqua Chamber of Commerce at www.minocqua.org or 800.44.north.
The Central Wisconsin Deer & Hunting Expo will be held at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center in Wausau February 10, 11, and 12. Visit www.FishingBoatingOutdoor.com. At that very same website, get all the details for the Central Wisconsin Sport Show slated a week later, for February 17, 18 and 19.
Reserve the weekend February 24, 25, and 26 for the 2017 Wisconsin Fishing Expo to be held in Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Connect with www.wifishingexpo.com. This is a long established show produced by true outdoor professionals. Expect to get your money’s worth.
Looking ahead to a promise of spring winds, Ferryville Tourism Council on the mighty Mississippi River in the far southwest will sponsor Bald Eagle/Raptor Days March 4 with co-sponsor Friends of Pool 9. See live eagles and other raptors, Lois the Owl and many more attractions at the Ferryville Community Center. For details connect with www.visitferryville.com.
And last (only by date…not in our hearts) is our old friends at the Wisconsin Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show to be held Saturday, March 11 at the Hilton Gardens Inn in Oshkosh. This is the original Wisconsin collectors show. For table information and appraisals call Roger Ludwig, who I’ve missed many ducks with on Lake Winnebago, at 920-233-0349 or cell 920-428-3765 or connect with www.rogfuzz@charter.net.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot Straight. Go Badgers. Go Packers.
Dick Ellis