Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County
Winter snow-sport enthusiasts have had to go north to the Lake Superior snowbelt or seek the manmade white stuff on local hills so far this season, but ice anglers are smiling.
After back-to-back winters of dicey-at-best conditions, the vast waters of Green Bay are finally starting to lock up.
However, there was a lot of fierce wind to go along with the recent frigid air, so there are still some trouble spots — working cracks, ice shoves and even a few open water pockets — so check with a bait and tackle shop for the latest advice on areas to try, and to avoid.
Yellow perch, northern pike, walleye and burbot have all lured anglers to the bay.
Meanwhile, Lake Michigan tributaries are producing some rainbow trout, browns, pike and panfish and inland lakes are offering panfish, largemouth bass, pike and walleye.
Ice-breaking for Great Lakes ships was still happening on Green Bay earlier this week.
No one should attempt to cross recently frozen-over shipping lanes between Marinette, Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and the tip of the Door Peninsula.
In addition, be aware that no matter how thick the ice is, offshore wind events can still move sheets of ice.
Wetlands grant
The money — from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program — will be used to protect the largest remaining estuarine wetlands complex along the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan.
The new acquisition is adjacent to a 206-acre natural area managed by the UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.
That makes a total of 228 contiguous acres protected.
Wisconsin has more than 800 miles of coastline, but the shallow, nutrient-rich waters of lower Green Bay support one of the most productive ecosystems in the Great Lakes.
About 97% of these have been lost, many to development.
Such coastal wetlands help protect from flooding, filter water, support recreation and local economies, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
More than 60 species listed as endangered, threatened or species of concern can be found in the Point au Sable peninsula, including the federally-endangered rusty patched bumble bee, the northern long-eared bat and the proposed federally-threatened monarch butterfly.
The area also supports many songbirds and is a popular fishing and waterfowl hunting destination.
Write a resolution
Public resolutions can be submitted now through Feb. 24.
The concern must be of statewide impact; must be practical, achievable and reasonable; and must be within the mission and vision of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
Anyone interested in submitting a resolution is encouraged to reach out to the resolution review committee or their WCC County Chair for guidance in drafting a resolution.
Learn more at dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing.
Online input for this year’s hearing is April 14-16.
Best bird photos
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library archive has more than 67 million photos contributed by birders from around the world.
Some of the best in the past year are featured in the Winter 2025 issue of Living Bird magazine. The photos are separated into themes: Birdlife in Full Bloom; Double Vision; Colors of the Bird World; The Next Generation; Making a Splash; and Rarities.
Get a sneak peek at some of the best at www.allaboutbirds.org/news/macaulay-librarys-best-bird-photos-2025/.
Park sticker contest
High school students can submit original designs for the 2026 Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission passes now through April 30.
Rules, submission guidelines, and tips for a winning design are available at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/designcontest.
Salmon school Feb. 8
Author and charter captain Dan Keating and guest speaker charter captain Devon Miller are holding a Salmon School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Green Bay Yacht Club.
Registration and more info at www.captaindankeating.com.
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