Forest History Association of Wisconsin compiles and shares grand history of logging in the state
Forest History Association of Wisconsin is compiling history of forestry and logging. The Forest History Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery, interpretation and preservation of the forest history legacy of the state of Wisconsin, according to their website.
Fish Like a GIRL
The ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ starter kit
For most of my adult life, I have been a dog person. I have had retrievers, a springer spaniel, a husky and, most recently, a beagle and a rat terrier. As a child I had a retriever growing up, but I remember when I was very young always “needing” to have a cat in my life. As an adult now, I realize what my mom was probably thinking.
Rhubarb cookies
Flour Included!
As many saw — I inadvertently left off the amount of flour to use in this recipe when it was first printed. I would like to say — I was just testing all of you bakers out there! Because baking is science, after all, right?
First aid fundamentals — the things everyone should know in the event of a medical emergency
Nothing dampens a fun summer day like an illness or injury. Knowing how to deal with emergencies that come up can make all the difference. Here are a few things everyone should know how to treat or diagnose.
Invasive species awareness
June is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Much awareness has been brought to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in recent years.
How anglers handle fish is important for their survival
Warmer water increases stress in fish
The lakes of the Northwoods are one of the main draws for vacationers, and some of the most important reasons residents live in the Northwoods.
Preliminary 2024 tribal harvest data available
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released tribal fish harvest data for the 2024 spearing season. In the spring of each year, the tribes exercise their treaty-given rights to harvest fish by spearing in lakes in the Ceded Territories. The tribal harvest season begins shortly after ice-out. The six Ojibwe tribes of Wisconsin may legally harvest walleyes through the use of several high-efficiency methods, but spearing is the most frequently used, according to the DNR.
Fish Like a GIRL
‘It’s a trolling motor!’
This column was inspired by a recent discussion at the Lakeland Times office. Brian Jopek and I were just shooting the bull over how expensive everything is these days. We were the “old salts” in the discussion, which included staffers Trevor Greene, Brett LaBore and Mikey Rottier.
Oneida County land and water conservation committee looks at clear-cutting, comprehensive plan
The Oneida County land and water conservation committee took up the matter of clear cutting along shorelines of lakes within the county.
Drop shot fishing for finicky fish
Good technique for all skill levels
A drop shot is a finesse technique that can be used to catch finicky fish that may not want a larger offering. The baits used are usually quiet small and, like the power shot, are kept up off the bottom by the way they are rigged.
Fish Like a GIRL
It is Pollinator Week!
This is Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate the little critters that provide a third of all of our food. It is interesting to think about — one of every three bites of food we put in our mouths is made possible by pollinators.
Fish of a Lifetime
Bob Diedrich recounts many good days on the water
Many musky anglers fish most of their lives without ever hooking into a 50-inch fish. Many anglers also do not boat four muskies in two days of fishing. But Vietnam veteran Bob Diedrich said he has caught quite a few big muskies with local guide Greg Bohn since the mid 1980s.
Fish Like a GIRL
Fishing is a mental game
One thing most non-tournament anglers don’t understand about fishing tournaments is how much of a mental game it is. When we break it down, it is really us against an animal which is said to have a brain the size of a pea. But I cannot count the number of times I have overthought a particular situation, or missed simple clues because I had a different idea stuck in my head.
Department of Natural Resources looks at walleye recruitment on Crescent Lake
Consider Walleye Lake of Concern status
Last week the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held an informational session regarding walleyes in the Northwoods and specifically on Crescent Lake.
UMBC anglers rise to the challenge on Lake Mohawksin
Conditions a bit tougher than Wisconsin Bass Team Trail tourney
Lake Mohawksin in Tomahawk is an early stop for not only the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail (WBTT) but the Upper Midwest Bass Challenge (UMBCS) Central Division.
What makes a swim bait a season-long option?
Swim baits are great baits for anglers of any experience level. Even the youngest or most inexperienced angler has a good chance to catch a fish with a swim bait. Swim baits are meant to mimic a bait fish swimming through the water. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, just like real bait fish.
History of fish management a topic at Lakes and Rivers Convention
An introduction to coarse woody habitat
This year’s Lakes and Rivers Convention was filled with informational sessions on various topics. Fish management is a topic near and dear to the hearts of many in the Northwoods, and this was the focus of more than one presentation at the convention.
Buzz baits make for topwater fun
Most anglers agree that there is nothing quite like a top water bite. Catching fish that are exploding toward the surface of the water is a heart-pounding experience.
Walleyes for Tomorrow banquet slated for June 20
Fundraiser helps chapter conduct walleye habitat work, stocking
The Headwaters Chapter of Walleyes for Tomorrow has been an integral partner in the study of the lack of walleye recruitment on the Minocqua Chain, but their work goes far past the chain. To support this work, the chapter holds a banquet each year.
Fish Like a GIRL
Lessons learned in the garden and a look ahead
Most readers know by now, summer means not only fishing and tournaments to me, but also gardening, which I can now do on a little bit bigger level than I could when all I had was a small balcony garden.
Fishing a jika rig for finicky fish
A jika rig is simply another way to present a bait to a fish. The technique came out of Japan years ago. It has not caught on as well as some of other presentations such as the Texas rig. Nor is it talked about as much. But it is still a good way to catch fish.
Free Fun Weekend is here!
The first weekend in June used to be Free Fishing Weekend, but the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expanded that several years ago to Free Fun Weekend. Now not only are fishing license fees waived, but fees for state park admissions are free and trail passes are not needed for the entire weekend, June 1-2.
Natural Resources Board hears update on 2024 elk hunting season
Application period ends today
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) area wildlife manager Scott Roepke provided the Natural Resources Board an update on the elk season quotas and information on the two elk herds in the state.
Four new counties have CWD in wild deer herd
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deer herd health specialist Erin Larson provided the members of the Natural Resources Board (NRB) with an update on chronic wasting disease (CWD) numbers from the 2023 deer season during the group’s May meeting.
Fish Like a GIRL
First tourney of 2024 in the books
As I write this, our first big tournament of the year is in the books. Spring tournaments are always dicey. It can be hard to know what stage the fish are in, and that can also change pretty quickly. It also changes from place to place, lake or flowage.
Wisconsin Bass Team Trail anglers take on Lake Mohawksin
Early season tournaments can be tricky as fish have a tendency to be anywhere from pre spawn to post spawn come tournament day.
Study suggests substantial barrier to transmission of chronic wasting disease to humans
Much has been written and suspected about chronic wasting disease (CWD) and its ability to become zoonotic, or “jump” from animals to humans.
Musky opener setting up to be good for anglers
This weekend marks the opening of musky season in the Northwoods. The Northern Zone opens on Saturday. For some anglers, this weekend is even bigger than the opening of game fish season.
Studies delve into how fish growth rates are changing as water warms
Several presenters got together for a recent webinar hosted by the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership. The webinar was a presentation of recent research into how climate change affects the growth of different fish species across the Upper Midwest.
When is the best time to fish a power shot?
The short answer is any time. But it is not necessarily that simplistic. First, the question to be answered is what, exactly, a power shot is. The power shot can be thought of as a “beefed up” version of the drop shot. It can be a great way to cover water and will help to keep the bait in the strike zone longer.
Fish Like a GIRL
Prepping to run the first tournament of the year
At the time of this writing, we are about to kick off our true tournament season in a few days. Chet and I are running our first tournament of the 2024 season on Lake Mohawksin. It is always fun, exciting and stressful getting the season underway again.
DNR deer advisory committee votes to change Oneida CDAC recommendation
Recommends 250 antlerless tags on public land
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) deer advisory committee met last week to review deer season recommendations that came from the County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs), all of whom met over the last few weeks.
There are many lead free tackle alternatives
It is no secret that lead is not the best option for wildlife, for the environment, or for humans. Humans stopped using lead paint in their homes years ago.
Max Wolter spoke about walleye management in Wisconsin at this year’s Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
Walleye, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologist Max Wolter said, are by far the most popular fish in the state.
Fish Like a GIRL
Fishing season finally kicks off
My favorite time of year is finally here — open water fishing season! It does bring with it the stress of running tournaments and making sure everything goes off without a hitch, that guys get along and everyone treats everyone with respect and all of those other things.
Chew on This!
Ingredients: • Fish - 1.5 lb cut into chunks • Salt brine (see below)
Vilas County forestry, recreation and land committee talks trails, campgrounds
Among other things, the Vilas County forestry, recreation and land committee talked about trails and campgrounds at their regularly scheduled May meeting.
2024 spring hearings results are in
Each year, on the second Monday in April the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) hold their annual spring hearings in each county in the state.
Smart anglers fish a stupid rig
A tube can be a fish’s favorite food. Tubes fall through the water column in a spiral, giving a different presentation from most other baits.
Choosing a turkey call can be a matter of personal preference
Spring turkey hunting is in full swing across the state. Turkey hunters increase their odds of bagging a bird with calls. There are three main types of turkey calls.
Fish Like a GIRL
Time to organize my jigs
The thing that is really funny about jigs is that I struggle when it comes to knowing how to organize them. It is easy to group jigs into three types: swim jigs, flipping jigs and finesse jigs. That is fairly simplistic.
Natural Resources Board approves emergency rule for Minocqua Chain
Governor to sign this week
Last Thursday the Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved the emergency rule for the Minocqua Chain that would open the chain up to state licensed hook and line fishing for walleye, which should be in place by later this week.
Oneida County Deer Advisory Council recommends fewer antlerless tags
Still looks to split county
The Oneida County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) met at the Woodruff Town Hall last week for the purpose of making recommendations about the number of antlerless tags that would be made available for the 2024 deer season.
Trust the Science Act passes House
Bill calls for delisting of wolves with no judicial review
The Trust the Science Act (H.R. 764), introduced by U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert passed the House of Representatives last week. The bill would see the gray wolf removed from the Endangered Species List and would also ensure the species would not be relisted through a lawsuit.
It's Opening Weekend! Anglers poised for good opening season conditions
Many fish post spawn and feeding
This weekend marks the opening of fishing season across the state of Wisconsin. It is a weekend to which anglers look forward all year. For many it marks the first trip out on the water since boats were winterized and put away last fall.
LdF Tribe spears 992 walleyes from Minocqua chain of lakes
Breaks 10 year no-harvest rehabilitation plan
For nine years a partnership has been formed looking at the health of walleye populations in the Minocqua Chain. What was once a thriving walleye fishery has had zero recruitment success, a cause of concern for many anglers.
Why are there so many types of fishing rods?
How power and action can help with catching more fish
Fishing rods come in different actions and different powers. But what do those terms mean and how should an angler know which to choose for which technique?
Proper launch ramp etiquette makes for a smoother opening weekend
Many an angler has tales to tell of something crazy that happened at a launch ramp. Many an angler also has tales of wasting time at a launch ramp when someone in front of them does not follow proper launch ramp etiquette.
‘Zombie’ deer disease causes sensationalized headlines
National Deer Association urges hunters to consider study cautiously
Many out-of-state media sources have taken to calling Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) the “Zombie Deer Disease,” but that is not as far as the sensationalized headlines go. Recently a headline appeared in Field & Stream and elsewhere touting a tale of two hunters who “died after eating CWD-positive deer meat.”
Hodag Sports Club receives Club of the Year award from Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
The Hodag Sports Club was founded in 1946 by a group of diehard fishermen. The original purpose of the club was to secure easements for boat landings around the Rhinelander area, thereby creating more access for anglers.