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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish Like A GIRL
There is so much more to write about
I have often said that so many things happen in the outdoors that there is always something more to write about. While that is true, it hit me slightly differently the other day when my sister presented me with a box of CDs and floppy disks (yes, floppy disks) that belonged to our mom.
Understanding a lake map can be the key to fishing success
Understanding how to read a lake map can make finding fish easier. For those who do not have days to spend fishing or how do not wish to spend thousands of dollars on expensive fishing electronics, the old tried and true lake map can be an invaluable tool.
New study looks at ticks and CWD
Chronic wasting disease is a slowly progressing neurogenerative disease that affects cervids such as white tailed deer, elk, mule deer, moose and reindeer. The disease is always fatal and is caused by a prion. Deer may have the disease for over a year before exhibiting clinical symptoms of infection. Potential mechanisms for transmission include animal-to-animal transmission, maternal transmission and environmental transmission. The prions that cause the disease can only be eradicated through incineration at extremely high heat. This makes the disease difficult, if not impossible, to combat once it is on the landscape. It is also unclear how long the prions remain viable once they have entered the environment. However, there is evidence that prions can be taken up by plants from infected soil. Prions in deer can be found in their nervous system, lymph tissue, muscle, blood, urine, feces and antler velvet.
Fishing the Willow Flowage
Last week, Chet and I were able to get out and do some pre-fishing on the Willow Flowage for a tournament we had that weekend. We brought Brett with us, a friend of Chet’s from work who is a “walleye guy.” In fact, Brett had a walleye tournament on the Willow that coming weekend as well. For the most part, bass guys and walleye guys do not see too much of each other on the water, at least in most places. We do not share a lot of the same water like we would if we were on a body of water at the same time as a musky tournament.
Still support for numeric population goal of 350 wolves statewide
To say wolves are a hot topic in Wisconsin, especially in the north, would be an understatement. A new 10-year wolf plan is currently under review by the Department of Natural Resources and there has been no shortage of comments on the plan, with several areas being points of contention with conservation groups and others across the north. One of those points of contention was the lack of a numeric population goal in the draft of the plan released earlier last winter. Many respondents felt as though the original goal of 350 wolves in the state should be adhered to. This goal, it has been said, would allow for a sustainable wolf population while still keeping wolves in areas that were not populated or in areas with a good deal of livestock present. This would cut down on wolf conflict situations and, overall, be helpful not only to humans, but to wolves themselves, as fewer depredations and conflicts may lead to a better overall perception of wolves on the landscape.
Fish Like a GIRL
It was a fun day fishing with some home schoolers
Teaching kids to fish is not always easy, but it is always fun. Over the years I have taught more than my share of kids to cast a line. I have held casting contests at events and tournaments. I have worked with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at an event they used to hold in Rhinelander that got kids into outdoor pursuits. I have done casting clinics as part of bass clubs in which I have been involved.
Upper Midwest Bass Challenge anglers take on Lake Mohawksin
Limits caught by most, weights average
Each year there are several bigger bass tournaments held on Lake Mohawksin in Tomahawk. This stop this year was the first stop of the Central Division of the Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series (UMBCS). The tournament was held on Sunday, June 4, 2023 with 34 boats entered into the derby. Being a team event, this meant 68 anglers hitting the water.
Natural Resources Board hears spring hearings results, asks for more information on musky mortality
At last month’s Natural Resource Board (NRB) meeting, Meredith Penthorn came to present some of the results from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spring hearings fisheries department questions. Scott Karel, DNR regulations policy specialist also brought forth results from the department’s wildlife questions presented to the public this year.
Fish Like a GIRL
Just buy the seeds
This is a little simplistic, and I know I will never listen to my own wisdom on this, but maybe it is better to simply start my garden from seeds - outside. The first issue anyone who knows me knows I will have with this is I simply could never wait until the end of May to start gardening. At the same time, the beginning of February is obviously too early.
Prev Next