Close to 200 participants attended the ice-fishing event from Wisconsin and Illinois, said NICC President Leonard Dane of Kenosha, Wis., adding that derby fans traveled, “a lot farther this year than we’ve seen."
Feb. 18 and 20: Bonfield, (815) 635-3198
WILD THINGS
Friday, Feb. 19, to Feb. 21 and Feb. 26-28: Wild Things 2021 Conference will held virtually, $15 per weekend or $30 for entire conference, wildthingscommunity.org.
ICE FISHING DERBY
Through Sunday, Feb. 14: Northern Illinois Conservation Club’s 61st annual Ice Fishing Derby, Chain O’Lakes, mynicc.org
BIRDING
FISH GATHERING
Tuesday, Feb. 16: Free virtual seminar by guide Bill Schultz on smallmouth bass in Door County, Arlington Anglers, 6:30 p.m., arlingtonanglers.com.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Monday, Feb. 15: Rabbit season, squirrel season, and raccoon, opossum, fox and bobcat seasons end
Monday, Feb. 15: Final day, applications, site specific youth turkey hunts
DALE’S MAILBAG
Provided
Despite the lengthy frigid and snowy weather, there is a good amount of ice fishing going on around Chicago area on building ice, including some deep-water action for whitefish on Green Bay, for this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.
I know more than a few of us wondered if deep-water fishing for whitefish on Green Bay would even happen this year, especially after the dramatic rescue of anglers from an ice floe the wind broke off last week. The answer, with the extended cold snap, is yes.
Fraser Semple messaged this (a fuller report and a photo are in the Green Bay section):