February Is an Incredible Month for Ice Fishing Contests in Northern Wisconsin

Northern Wisconsin anglers don’t let cold temperatures, ice, and snow get in the way of their favorite sport. Ice fishing is a great activity to enjoy with your buddies or with your whole family. And there will be plenty of excitement on the ice throughout the region with ice fishing contests held nearly every weekend in February. Register for one of these ice fishing contests coming to northern Wisconsin this month!

February Northern Wisconsin Ice Fishing Contests

February 1: Amery (Polk County)

Wanderoos Area Lions Club Ice Fishing Contest

First up is the Wanderoos Area Lions Club Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Waposasset, in Amery, on Saturday, February 1. Fishing hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded in five divisions: sunfish, crappie, northern, bass, and perch/walleye. There will also be door prizes and fun activities for the kids. For more information, call 715-338-1845.

February 8: Cumberland (Barron County)

37th Annual Wisconsin State Ice Fishing Tournament

The next weekend, cast your lines at the 37th Annual Wisconsin State Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday, February 8, at the Gap shelter at Beaver Dam Lake beach in Cumberland.

There are 15 fishing prizes, including $1,000 for the largest fish. More than 100 raffle prizes will be awarded; you need not be present to win. Play for your chance to win the grand prize—a side-by-side—to be drawn that day.

The fishing contest starts at 10 a.m., and each contestant is allowed up to three lines within the marked-off area only. The contest officially ends at 3 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase inside the shelter.

The entry fee for this tournament, which is sponsored by the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, is $12 for a single ticket or $30 for three tickets. Tickets can be purchased at locations including Indianhead Sport Shop, Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, Barronett Bar, Almena Holiday, Cheers Bar, Nezzy’s, Bourbons, The Corner Bar, Spot Bar, Cumberland Ace Hardware, and Hammer Bar. For more information, contact Krista at 715-671-8132 or Jenna at 715-419-1241.

February: Wabeno (Forest County)

58th Annual Trump Lake Fishoree

Head out to Trump Lake on Saturday, February 8, for the 58th Annual Trump Lake Fishoree. Activities begin at 9 a.m. and go until 5 p.m., both on the lake and in the heated pavilion. Concessions will be available starting at 10 a.m.

The American Legion and Wabeno Lions Club are joint sponsors of the Fishoree. The two organizations use proceeds from the day to support their many programs and local groups. They are holding various raffles, including one for a first-place prize of $500, plus seven other prizes. There’s another raffle for $100 and still another for a half pig. Drawings will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the pavilion.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the largest and second-largest bass, northern, walleye, bluegill, crappie, and perch registered that day. Visit trumplake.org for more details.

Trump Lake, located 1.5 miles north of Wabeno on Highway 32, spans 162 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 20 feet. Species present in Trump Lake include panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. The lake’s water is moderately clear.

February 8: Rhinelander (Oneida County)

44th Annual Fisheree & Winter Festival

That same weekend, the Rhinelander Lions Club will invite anglers to the 44th Annual Fisheree & Winter Festival on Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, with fishing taking place on Boom Lake. Fishing hours will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The early entry fee (prior to 7 a.m. on Saturday) is $20, which covers both days. Late entry until 10:30 a.m. Saturday costs $25 and will set you up to fish the remainder of Saturday and Sunday. Late entry until 10:30 a.m. Sunday also costs $25.

There will be a $500 prize each day for the longest northern pike registered with cash prizes from $250 to $50 for the second- to fifth-longest northern each day. There will be additional prizes for walleye, perch, crappie, and bluegill, as well as raffles and food.

Hey, kids, this one’s for you! There’s a free fishing event on Saturday and Sunday for kids ages 11 and younger. And there will be daily kids’ prizes for you at the Fisheree.

The Rhinelander Lions Club Fisheree will be headquartered at Hodag Park, on Rhinelander’s north side. For more information, check explorerhinelander.com or Facebook @RhinelanderLions.

February 15: Florence (Florence County)

Leff’s All Lake Derby

Leff’s Bar’s Annual All Lake Fishing Derby is happening Saturday, February 15. Fishing begins at dawn and ends at 4:30 p.m.

You can fish any Florence County water for this tournament. Enter until noon for a $5 fee with 100 percent payout. After you’ve made your catch, head into Leff’s to enter raffles, savor food, and join in the merriment at Leff’s Bar & Grill, located 5050 Keyes Lake Drive in Florence.

February 15: Osceola (Polk County)

Big Lake Ice Fishing Contest

Also on Saturday, February 15, we have the Big Lake Ice Fishing Contest near Osceola. Fishing hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with hundreds of door prizes to be given away. Cash prizes for first-, second-, and third-place fish will be given out to adults and kids in each of these four categories: panfish, bass, walleye, and northern. Tickets ($12) are available at Big Lake Store. Kids 6 and under fish for free. Proceeds from the contest go toward stocking fish in Big Lake, Round Lake, and Church Pine Lake. Call 715-294-2342 x651 for more information.

February 16: Clayton (Polk County)

Richardson Sportsmen Club’s Annual Lake Magnor Ice Fishing Contest – Clayton

The next day, on Sunday, February 16, the Richardson Sportsmen Club will host its annual Lake Magnor Ice Fishing Contest in Clayton. Fishing hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded for top weight and size for various species. Even if you don’t make any big catches, there are still chances to win with door prizes and raffle tickets. There will be food and beverages sold on the ice. For more information, call 715-948-2460.

February 29: Butternut (Ashland County)

Clause Kraetke Memorial Ice Fishing Jamboree – Butternut

At a sprawling 14,300 acres, the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is no stranger to ice anglers, unfazed by the frosty temperatures and waiting for their next big catch. Now it’s your turn to join them. Rounding out the February ice fishing fest is the Claus Kraetke Memorial Ice Fishing Jamboree, set for Saturday, February 29, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be headquartered out of Donner’s Bay Resort on the west side of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage (2974N Hiawatha Road, Butternut). In addition to the cash prizes for largest fish caught in several categories, there will be hot food, hot and cold beverages, and raffle tickets. For more information, call 715-476-2555.

We’ll see you on the ice this February!