OUTDOORS
Minocqua Gun Club Annual Fundraising Banquet Feb. 28
The Minocqua Gun Club will be having its 29th Annual Fundraising Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 at the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain. There will be great food, fun and fellowship, plus raffles, games and prizes, all supporting the Minocqua Gun Club.
The Lake Where You Live
As I wait for the Birch Lake ice to thicken and watch the snow pile up on the private road down the hill, I’m thinking about 10 days from now. That’s when grandsons Tucker and Perrin arrive for their Christmas season visit. They are 13 and 12 years old now …
Winter Free Fishing Weekend opens doors to the outdoors Jan. 17-18
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting its annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend Jan. 17-18, 2026 to share the fun and excitement of winter fishing.
Northwoods Almanac
Woody Hagge has been keeping ice-up and ice-off dates for 50 years on 39-acre Foster Lake in Hazelhurst. This year, Foster Lake iced-up on November 29, two days later than the 50 year average of November 27.
Northwoods Yard & Garden
Poinsettias are a traditional featured decorative plant for the holiday season. Since they are living plants and growing conditions they face when placed in homes or businesses are oftentimes less than ideal, poinsettias need some sound care to keep looking festive.
728 X 90 AD
DNR bear advisory committee backs higher quotas for 2026 season
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) bear management advisory committee met on Dec. 1 and rolled out preliminary recommendations for the 2026 bear season. Those proposals could put significantly more tags in hunters’ hands.
The Lake Where You Live
After our series of cold days, your lake is likely iced over by now. Birch Lake froze on Nov. 30, pretty much typical if our year-by-year record is to be trusted.
The great Christmas debate: live tree or artificial
There’s been a long-time debate over Christmas trees — should one choose a live or artificial tree? I have to give my side of the story. My family and I have always gotten a live Christmas tree, cut straight from a tree farm. That makes it pretty easy for me. …
A fawn’s first winter
Have you ever given any thought to what a fawn from this year is about to go through facing their first winter. Personally, I really can’t say there is a winter that goes by, that I don’t think of a particular winter years ago, when the snow was up to …
DNR seeking public input on statewide turkey management plan
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input as the revision process for the state’s turkey management plan begins. Wisconsin’s current turkey management plan, adopted in 2015, was designed to guide and inform statewide turkey management practices and priorities for a period of 10 years.
728 X 90 AD
Deer hunters are encouraged to take advantage of late season opportunities
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds deer hunters that although the 2025 nine-day gun deer season is now closed, additional harvest opportunities remain available throughout the late fall and early winter.
Navigating first ice
With winter setting in across the Northwoods, anglers’ thoughts are turning to ice fishing. But the allure of early ice comes with its dangers as well, as some anglers have had the misfortune to find out.
Deadlines approaching for 2026 bear and turkey harvest authorizations applications
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds bear and turkey hunters that applications for the 2026 black bear and spring turkey hunting seasons are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Hunters can apply for harvest authorizations or purchase preference points toward future drawings, or edit an existing …
The Lake Where You Live
Those who live on and advocate for lakes can easily (and appropriately) obsess over everyday demands. What’s happening with the Secchi readings? Will we get that new invasive species grant? How can we do more to protect natural shorelines?
Northwoods Almanac
According to the DNR, “The first snowy owls of 2025 reached Wisconsin on Nov. 6. While early November is a typical arrival date, the total of 17 owls reported as of Nov. 17 is above average for this early in the season. The last year with a higher total at …
728 X 90 AD
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
250 X 250 AD
250 X 250 AD
E-Editions
250 X 250 AD
Events
250 X 250 AD