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DNR Brings Back Free Fishing Weekend Published on 01/14/2022 under News

Whether tip-ups, jigging, or casting a line; Wisconsin anglers can hit the ice for some fishing this weekend without a license.

The DNR has brought back their winter free fishing weekend. These free activity weekends are a way to introduce new participants to Wisconsin's many outdoor sports, while also providing former participants to renew their interest. It's part of the DNR R3 program which stands for recruitment, retention and reactivation.

Theresa Stabo is a DNR R3 coordinator. She says,"Free Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to give angling a try, without the added step and expense of getting a fishing license. Fishing is about so much more than the catch. Get out there and enjoy nature, spend time with friends and family and if you're lucky, bring home some fish for your next at-home fish fry."

While you don't need a license, anglers must still follow all other fishing regulations including size and bag limits.

Ice Safety:

For those heading out this weekend, or at any point this winter, the DNR is urging caution when out on the ice. First and foremost remember that no ice is 100% safe. While the surface may be frozen, currents, springs and water levels below the surface may affect ice strength.

Dress appropriately and bring appropriate safety gear including a life preserver, a section of rope, and ice picks.

Let someone known where you are and when plan to return, and carry a cell phone with you.

The DNR has a website dedicated to ice safety.

In Other News

Numbers Confirm Oneida County as Leading Tourism Destination

Published on 06/12/2026 under News It is Friday, which means a steady stream of weekend visitors is bound for the Northwoods. For many, the destination is Oneida County, which is celebrating another record-setting year for tourism. According to new economic impact data released by the state, travelers spent an impressive 314 million dollars in Oneida County last year. That is up roughly 11 million dollars from the previous record set in 2024. Jacqui Sharpe, chair of the Oneida County Tourism Council, says while the lakes, trails, and outdoor recreation draw people in, it is the locally owned businesses and welcoming communities that keep them coming back. That steady stream of visitors supports an estimated 2,200 tourism-related jobs across the county. The booming hospitality industry also generated more than 25 million dollars in state and local tax revenue last year. Sharpe noted that tourism touches nearly every corner of the local economy, bringing immense value not just to the visitors, but to the people who live and work in the Northwoods every day.

Published on 06/12/2026 under News The City of Merrill's effort to recognize residents who helped shape the community continues this morning with the dedication of an honorary street sign for Leslie "Ches" Kienitz. Mayor Steve Hass announced that members of the Merrill Historic Preservation Committee will unveil the sign at 10 a.m. Friday near the Kienitz family home on West 10th Street, near Chippewa Street. According to the Historic Preservation Committee, which oversees the Memorial Street Sign Program, Kienitz's decades of local service spanned nearly every corner of city life. He served as the drum major for the Merrill City Band for nearly 50 years, served in the US Army during World War II, spent over two decades with the Merrill Police Department, retiring as a captain, and later worked at Council Grounds State Park. He was also a dedicated conservationist, planting more than 100,000 trees with his family, and was even nominated for Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year in 1986. The sign is located near the Kienitz family home on West 10th Street. The dedication was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to inclement weather. City officials say four additional honorary street signs are scheduled to be dedicated later this year. We'll share the honorees as they are announced.

Published on 06/12/2026 under News A campaign is returning in Marathon County encouraging kids to wear helmets this summer when riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards. The Helmet Hero' program is a partnership of Aspirus Health, Safe Kids Marathon County, and several local law enforcement agencies. To help encourage safe riding, groups will work with the Mosinee, Wausau, and Metro Bay Police Departments to keep an eye out for kids properly wearing their helmets in the community. When a kid is 'caught' wearing a helmet, the officer may hand out a ticket for a free ice cream at Briq's Soft Serve. If they find a child in need of a helmet, they also have some vouchers that can be exchanged for a free helmet. Amanda Tabin coordinates the program for Aspirus. She notes that nearly half of children hospitalized for bike-related injuries are diagnosed with a head injury, yet less than half of children wear helmets. And while the program is designed for children, they're hoping it creates life-long habits. Jeff Zwicky with the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department. "Just like wearing seatbelts in a motor vehicle, making helmets part of your routine during wheeled sports helps keep everyone safe."

Published on 06/12/2026 under News Just a reminder for those traveling on Highway 51 in Marathon County on Friday, the State Patrol is conducting an aerial speed enforcement. As we shared previously, the troopers will take to the skies to watch for speeders and those driving aggressively. When a violation is identified, they communicate with a ground-based unit to initiate a traffic stop. They noted in the news release that the aerial enforcement missions are publicly announced to improve public safety through voluntary compliance rather than to simply stop drivers and handing out citations.

Published on 06/12/2026 under News A unique Northwoods tradition takes to the highway tomorrow morning to support our nation's heroes... one bag of peanuts at a time. The annual Ride for Peanuts returns Saturday for the 20th edition. The event is sponsored by the District 11 American Legion Riders and all proceeds directly benefit Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk. it is the only veterans camp in the nation that is completely free of charge for veterans and their families. The "Peanuts" in the title is literal. A portion of the funds goes toward purchasing bags of peanuts so campers can experience a classic Northwoods joy: feeding the local chipmunks. Hometown Feed Mill right here in Tomahawk steps up to supply the peanuts for the campers every single year, helping create quiet, lasting memories for families looking to heal and reconnect. As for the ride, it's a scenic, 81-mile route in Eagle River, Lake Tomahawk, and Harshaw. The event is open to everyone, whether traveling by motorcycle, car, truck or other vehicle. Registration runs from 10 a.m. to noon at Northwoods Harley-Davidson in Arbor Vitae, with a cost of $10 per person. Organizers encourage the community to help support lasting memories for visiting veterans.

Published on 06/11/2026 under News It was a record-setting year for tourism, both across the state of Wisconsin and right here in Lincoln County. On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism released its 2025 economic impact data, revealing that the state's tourism industry generated a record-breaking $27 billion last year. When broken down by county, the data showed that Lincoln County set a tourism record for the fourth consecutive year, reaching $115 million in economic impact, a 2.3% growth over the previous year. In the northern half of the county, Tomahawk Chamber Director Charis Lau was excited to share the numbers, noting that tourism remains one of the strongest drivers of local economic activity. She says, "The newly released tourism impact data demonstrates the important role visitors play in supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to the overall quality of life enjoyed by residents." Delving a bit further into the numbers, the tourism industry supports nearly 700 part-time and full-time jobs in Lincoln County. It also generated approximately $6.3 million in local tax revenue, a figure that continues to rise alongside visitor spending. Lau added, "Every visitor who chooses Tomahawk contributes to a stronger local economy, and every positive experience helps create another ambassador for the Northwoods." In the coming days, we will take a closer look at how neighboring Northwoods counties fared.

Published on 06/11/2026 under News If it seems like there is an uptick in ticks this spring, latest survey data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services supports that claim. State health officials report that tick activity remains high across Wisconsin, currently driven by tiny deer tick nymphs and larvae, while adult ticks have trended downward. Because these young black-legged ticks are only about the size of a poppy seed, they can be incredibly difficult to spot, yet they frequently carry tickborne illnesses. Locally, Lincoln County is one of three counties selected by the DHS for specialized tick surveillance. Known as "tick dragging," staff conduct these surveys every other week in Lincoln, Iowa, and Waupaca counties. The process involves pulling a white denim drag along a 750-meter path and checking it for ticks at regular intervals. Notably, Lincoln County turned up more ticks than the other two counties this past week. With summer recreation now in full swing across the Northwoods, health experts encourage residents to stay vigilant while enjoying the outdoors. You can prevent tick bites by taking proactive steps, including performing daily tick checks. If you do find one, the DHS offers a free Tick Identification Service, which allows residents to submit photos of ticks found on people or pets for quick identification.

Published on 06/11/2026 under News As breast cancer awareness and screening efforts continue to grow in the Tomahawk area, Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital has earned national recognition for the quality of its mammography services. The hospital recently received a three-year mammography accreditation from the American College of Radiology, a designation awarded to facilities that meet rigorous standards for image quality, patient safety, equipment performance and staff qualifications. Mammography remains one of the most effective tools for early breast cancer detection according to Aspirus Tomahawk imaging services manager Laurie Lemke. She noted that the accreditation reflects the team's commitment to providing safe, accurate and compassionate care. The recognition comes as Aspirus continues to expand breast imaging services locally. The hospital recently added 3D mammography technology with AI-assisted detection capabilities, providing patients with advanced screening tools closer to home. Community outreach efforts have also been supported by local breast cancer advocacy group The Ties That Bind Us, which works to promote awareness and support for patients and families.

Published on 06/11/2026 under News An event focused on the needs of individuals with autism is coming to the Northwoods this weekend. Bonnie and Clyde's Gangster Park in Harshaw will host the Fourth Annual Autism Acceptance Fundraiser this Sunday. Organized by Aurora's Guiding Light Foundation, the event aims to celebrate neurodiversity and raise vital funds for local autism programs. This year, organizers want to highlight that support should continue into adulthood. Foundation founder Alexandra Kuckkahn says the inspiration for the event's expansion came from watching her own daughter grow into her teenage years. She says, "Autism doesn't end at 18 — there's a whole community that deserves its own party, and we are here to give it to them." A dedicated, quiet sensory room will also be available all day. To ensure every attendee feels comfortable, the day is split into three distinct segments tailored to different sensory needs:The morning (10am-noon) begins with Sensory Hours, offering a quiet, low-stimulus environment.Mid-day (noon-4pm) will focus on Inclusive Family Hours, featuring a variety of fun activities and a special presentation by advocate Ashley Mathy at 3pm.The evening (4pm-8pm) introduces the unique Adults On and Off the Spectrum Music Festival, featuring live music, dance floor, and a Silent Disco where guests can control their own headphone volume.Admission to the daytime activities is free, though a $5 donation is suggested for the evening music festival to support the performing artists. All funds raised from food, drinks, and raffles will directly support local autism advocacy and family resources.

Published on 06/11/2026 under News As thunderstorms rolled across the Northwoods Wednesday morning, one lightning strike may have sparked a small house fire in Oneida County. The Pine Lake Fire Department was dispatched just before 8 a.m. to a reported fire involving a water heater at a residence on Highway 17 North near Royalwood Lane. Officials said the homeowner was able to knock down the fire before firefighters arrived. Crews found light smoke coming from the home and smoldering materials around the water heater area. The fire was contained to the area surrounding the water heater. According to the department, the fire was caused by a lightning strike during the morning storms. The Pelican Fire Department was initially dispatched on automatic aid but was canceled after Pine Lake crews arrived and assessed the situation. Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour extinguishing remaining hot spots and checked for any fire extension in the home.

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