Wisconsin's fish are cool!It's no secret...Wisconsin's fishes are cool, but which fish is the coolest? Introducing Wisconsin's Coolest Fish Contest. We've extended March Madness into May. 64 fish want your consideration. Does a lake sturgeon beat a bowfin, a burbot beat a sauger or a southern redbelly dace beat an Iowa darter? You decide.

May madnessThe brackets have been loaded and await your picks. Cast your votes throughout the duration of the contest (April 20 to June 8) as one by one the pretenders are eliminated leaving the one, the only...coolest fish in Wisconsin.


Enter the contest!Decide the coolest fish in Wisconsin.

With the sunny and windy weather this past week, most if not all of the area lakes are now open.  It is a wonderful sight and puts me into full "Season Opener" mode.  I've transitioned the ice fishing gear and open water gear to their respective places and have been checking  over everything to be ready for that first Saturday in May!

Catch of the Day Contest

Starting on the April 4th episode of Wisconsin Waters and Woods with John Gillespie, Baitmate will be hosting a Baitmate Catch of the Week contest open to anyone and everyone!  Simply post a photo or short video of your catch to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine or YouTube along with #Baitmate and you will be automatically entered to win an awesome weekly Baitmate prize!  As an added bonus, each weekly winner’s photo/video will be featured on the next week’s episode of Wisconsin Waters and Woods!  And, at the end of the summer (8/15/15) all winning entries will be entered for a final grand prize – a televised fishing trip for two with John Gillespie!  

Don't forget to inclue #Baitmate with your post to be automatically entered.

With the ice melting and open water rapidly becoming a reality, it is that time of the year where you put away the snowplow/snow blower and put the snowmobile into the back and the boat into the front.  Happy rearranging...

It is that time of the season when it just doesn't make sense to risk your life or losing your gear.  The ice is very rapidly changing use caution and continuously check your ice thickness.  As for me, I'll wait it out...time to stay off and await the open water.  It just isn't worth the risks.

The Northwoods received several inches of wet heavy snowfall.  The temperatures should make it short lived.  It does however, hide the shoreline and creates the illusion that the lakes are safe to travel on.  This is not always the case.  Please check your entire ice path and surrounding areas before going out.  Caution should also be taken on your return trip as ice conditions can change rapidly and make the exact same path you took out unsafe for your return trip.  Err on the side of caution to be safe and not endanger yourself or those that would need to come to your rescue.

Natural Resources Board met today and approved daily bag limit changes. Most lakes, rivers, and streams in the Ceded Territory will have a daily bag limit of 3 walleye, sauger or hybrids. Most waters in the Ceded Territory would have a min. size limit of 15", except walleye between 20-24" must be released and only 1 larger than 24" may be kept.

They also adopted catch and release only in Minocqua and Tomahawk Chains of Lakes in Oneida County for a cooperative rehabilitation project to restore healthy, self-sustaining walleye populations.

The Vilas County hearing will take place on Monday, April 13th at 7 pm.  It will be held at the St. Germain Elementary School.  This hearing is your chance to have a voice in the input of natural resources management.

Looking forward to the premier gathering tonight for Discover Wisconsin's episode featuring Eagle River, WI.

Ice conditions can change quickly with warmer weather.  Be aware of your surroundings and use the "buddy system", don't go on the ice alone.  Make sure to check the ice before walking on it and, continue to check your path until you're back on shore.