State’s updated walleye management plan now available
Walleye are the state’s most sought after game fish. They are part of Friday night fish fries across Wisconsin and provide endless hours of angling enjoyment to many sportsmen and women.
Could venison be a possible pathway for PFOS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Fall boat-care tips to make sure the season starts off great next year
For many fishing season is coming to an end. As visitors close up their cabins and cottages, year-round residents take some last trips to enjoy a more quiet time on their favorite lake. Areas once busy with boat traffic and skiers is now fishable once again, making for a few great memories before the sun sets on another fishing season.
Fish Like a GIRL
It is NaNo time again
I cannot believe summer is gone already and we are into fall. I welcome the cool, crisp mornings and the occasional blanket of fog hanging low over everything. Before I realized it, suddenly NaNo Prep is right around the corner — and here I sit without an idea or a plan for this year.
Deer hunt 2023 kicks off with archery and crossbow season this weekend
The 2023 deer hunting season is finally ready to kick off. Archery and crossbow season starts this weekend. Hunters have spent countless hours in the woods scouting and preparing to harvest that big buck or get some meat for the freezer.
Deer donation program open to all hunters
Once again Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program is open to hunters who may be looking to donate their deer meat and provide nutritious meals to those in need. Since the program’s inception in the year 2000, over 94,000 deer have been donated, which equates to approximately 3.8 million pounds of ground venison. Venison is processed and distributed to food pantries across the state.
Public comment for permanent wolf rule brings few surprises
A meeting was held Tuesday evening regarding the permanent rule to be put into place for the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) proposed wolf rule WM-03-21.
Tips for processing deer and limiting exposure to CWD
Many hunters prefer to process their own deer. However, with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) found in the Northwoods for the last several years, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have put together some recommendations for hunters to be sure they minimize any possible risk of exposure to the always-fatal neurological disease affecting cervids such as white tailed deer.
Fall brings user groups together in the woods, on the water
Silent sports enthusiasts enjoy being out to view the fall colors. With the heat of summer being replaced by cooler temperatures and the smells of autumn in the air, there is arguably no better time to hit the trails in the Northwoods.
Movement of deer carcasses restricted in attempt to limit spread of chronic wasting disease
Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, is a term many sportsman know all too well. It is an always-fatal prion disease that affects cervids such as white-tailed deer.
Tree stands call for an extra level of safety
Hunting from an elevated position has many benefits. But it also comes with a need for extra precautions.
Tips for a successful turkey hunt
Fall turkey season is one to which many hunters look forward each year. In the fall, as with a good portion of the year, turkeys have two goals. Those are survival and finding food.
Department of Natural Resources Learn to Hunt Bear webinar focuses on new hunters
Recently the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put together a Learn to Hunt Bear webinar focused to newer bear hunters.
Fish Like a GIRL
So, who needs some zucchini?
That is a typical question one might hear in the Northwoods if they happen to hang around with any gardeners. I have been trying to pawn off zucchini as well. I saw a joke the other day warning people not to leave their vehicles unlocked — not because of car thefts or people stealing things out of vehicles, but because car owners would surely come back to find someone had put zucchini in their car.
Early teal, early goose and mourning dove seasons get underway
Early seasons offer up first chances at fall hunting
Today is the day many waterfowl hunters in Wisconsin have waited for since last fall.
2023 hunting seasons about to kick off
Season dates
Migratory bird seasons Early seasons Early Canada goose: Sept. 1-15. Early teal: Sept. 1-9.
Tips for fall pan fishing
As the temperatures start to fall, fishing season starts to heat up, as most anglers know. Creature comforts may not be at their highest for the angler, but fish are feeding heavy, getting ready for their long, cold winter under the ice.
Rod Gaskill Memorial Bass Tournament won with almost 20 pounds
Plans for sixth annual underway
Twenty-six teams took to Boom Lake in Rhinelander on August 26, 2023 in search of the five biggest smallmouth and largemouth they could bring to the scales. When the scale closed at the end of the day, it would take almost 20 pounds of river smallmouth to take the top spot.
A variety of management tactics are needed to manage trout populations in the state
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) steam and river system biologist Bradd Simms and fisheries research scientist Matthew Mitro spoke at Wisconsin Water Week this year about managing trout fisheries in Wisconsin.
Studies look at conditions needed for wild rice production
Wild rice, or Manoomin, is more than simply a food source. It is culturally important to Native American cultures. In many places, however, wild rice populations are in decline. Susan Knight presented her research with Gretchen Gerrish and Erin Matula at this year’s Wisconsin Water Week. This research came out of Trout Lake Limnology Center in Boulder Junction.
Low water levels meet Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series anglers
Anglers in the Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series (UMBCS) Central Division pulled in to Lake Nokomis early on the morning of August 13 to find the water approximately four feet low.
Public hearing to be held in Park Falls regarding deer populations in the North
Meeting set for Thursday, Aug. 31
There has been a recent push to return deer management units in the north back to the numbered units used in the past.
Wisconsin Bass Team Trail anglers hit Lake Mohawksin for their last qualifier of the year
The Wisconsin Bass Team Trail held their last qualifier tournament of the year on Lake Mohawksin recently. There were 40 teams signed up for the event, but one team dropped out due to motor problems. This meant 78 anglers would take to the lake in search of the five biggest largemouth and smallmouth they could boat for the day.
Fish Like a GIRL
Master Naturalist training has begun
I was finally able to get into the Master Naturalist training this year, and have just begun that training at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters.
Public comment period now open for proposed permanent wolf rule
Virtual hearing scheduled for September 12
Scott Karel, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) policy specialist came to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) in August to review the gray wold harvest rule. He started with some background information on the delisting and relisting of the species.
Catherine Koele gives update on Wisconsin wild fire program overview
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildfire prevention specialist Catherine Koele spoke to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) about the department’s wildfire department.
Town Line Lake Park is a favorite for many in the area
Forestry committee hears updates
Town Line Lake Park was almost no longer a county park, but was saved when a group banned together to ask the county to keep the park and to offer their aid in updating and revamping the area.
Fish Like a GIRL
Another weekend of back to back tournaments
For those who do not fish tournaments, fishing can be a relaxing way to spend the day. Getting in the boat with family and friends and floating around the lake, or even grabbing a cane pole and fishing from shore, can make for a perfect day.
Chew on This!
Crawfish jambalaya
The recent Trout Lake Station open house had me thinking about crayfish (crawfish, as some call them). One of the studies there is looking at the decline of rusty crayfish in that particular lake. So I thought I’d share a little crawfish jambalaya recipe for anyone interested. Yes, you can use rusty crayfish for this recipe, too!
Fish Like a GIRL
Putting food by
What a title for a book. This was a book my sister and I found going through some of my mom’s stuff that my stepdad brought over.
What is in the water, besides fish?
Recent studies look at the effects of various compounds on fish communities
Several recent talks, studies and webinars have looked at various chemicals and compounds that are found in Wisconsin waters that have varying effects on fish.
Department of Natural Resources releases revised draft wolf plan
Wolf plan to head to Natural Resources Board for October meeting
Wolves and wolf management are two of the most highly debated topics in Wisconsin when it comes to the state’s natural resources.
Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series anglers find themselves on dangerously low Willow Flowage
It is no secret that water levels on the Willow Flowage vary over the course of the summer. But neither tournament organizers or tournament anglers expected the flowage to be over eight feet low by take-off time on tournament morning. Reports had been coming in that the water was low, but it kept falling and made for some hazardous conditions for some anglers.
Arrowed deer seen in Boulder Junction
On Friday, August 4, 2023, Diane Schauss saw one of the local “town deer” of Boulder Junction in her yard, as she often did.
Trout Lake Station highlights new research
Each year the Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction holds and open house, allowing graduate students to talk to the public about the research they have been conducting over the past year. Most of the research done at the station has been ongoing for several years, and other studies are just beginning.
Handling of fish is important for survival
Fishing is a past time enjoyed by many in the Northwoods. Many visitors come to the Northwoods just to fish, or at least as part of their vacation.
Come on in, the water is fine - for fishing a hollow bodied frog
Anglers targeting bass and even northern pike or musky, would do well to add a hollow body frog to their arsenal.
Fish Like A GIRL: Garden Fest brings an afternoon of fun
I had an opportunity this year to not only attend Garden Fest at Seasons of Life, but to have an educational booth at the event.
Surface Water Grant Program guidance document updated
The Surface Water Grant Program provides over $6 million in funding for eligible projects each year.
Fish Like a GIRL
What goes together better than kids and critters?
Last week I had the opportunity to teach a stream camp we called Riparian Rangers. My friend Linda and I took five kids to a small local stream to gather some data and check out the critters that lived there. I took my WAV Stream Monitoring gear along and we set off with the kids.
Public asked for input on game bird broods
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public to assist with game bird reproduction monitoring throughout the state.
Wisconsin Bass Team Trail anglers fish Lake Nokomis
Low water creates struggles for some
The third stop of the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail (WBTT) presented by Arbor Vita Marine was at Lake Nokomis on July 17.
Additional funds eaermarked for Well Compensation Grant Program
Recently the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Governor Tony Evers invested $10 million to expand eligibility for the Well Compensation Program.
Wisconsin Bow Hunters Association, others, file petition with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist wolves
According to the Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association website, the organization has joined with other national and Midwest groups to petition to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the gray wolf in the Great Lakes Region.
Third wolf listening session brings sides together
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Sporting Dogs Association and Wisconsin Wolf Facts held a third listening session last week in Clintonville.
Wisconsin Trails Network Plan ready for public comment
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently released the draft update to the state’s Trails Network Plan.
Summer time is time to hang 10 — a 10-inch worm, that is
Big baits for big fish, or so the saying goes at least. Small baits can catch big fish as well, but when it comes to midsummer fishing, it is time to pull out the big worms.
Fish Like a GIRL
It is just like riding a bike
We have all heard the saying in regards to things we do not forget, “it is just like riding a bike.”
Chew on This!
Wild turkey
With both a spring and fall turkey season in Wisconsin, and with spring turkey season recently coming to a close, there is no reason to wait until Thanksgiving to dig in to one of those big birds.
National Resources Board approves fisheries rule package
During its June meeting, the state’s Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved rule packages the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) brought forth following the DNR and Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) spring hearings. One of the rule packages that received considerable support thought the spring hearings process was the change in bag limit for walleye and sauger from five per day to three per day on all inland waters.