NORTHEAST REGION

Smooth Sailing Found on Oconto’s Trails

OCONTO COUNTY – Oconto County has over 480 miles of snowmobile trails that meander throughout the county and national forests for a true “Up North” experience. The well-groomed trails connect to others in Langlade, Forest, and Marinette counties and even up to the Michigan/Wisconsin border. The benefits of joining a local club are many, including expert advice on the best routes, attractions, and amenities along the way, as well as sharing with others the joy and adventures of snowmobiling. The county’s clubs are Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club, Paul Bunyan Riders Snowmobile Club, Chute Pond Snowmobile Club, Oconto Falls Sno Jokers, Bagley and Brazeau Joyriders, and Lena Snowdrifters. Go to ocontocounty.org and click

on the respective club links to find out more. Depending on snow conditions, trails open in December, and the season can last through the end of March. Trail riding experiences vary from open farmland in the south to heavily forested land in the north. For example, a favorite destination for Red Arrow riders is Argonne and a stop at Main Street Ed’s. The Nicolet State Recreational Trail starts in Gillett and runs 90 miles north to connect to numerous trail systems.

Trailheads are located near Hwy. 32/64 intersection, just east of Chute Pond, in Gillett at Zippel Park, in Suring near the Village Hall, and in Lakewood on Hwy. 32.

Oconto County is less than a full tank of gas round trip from the Fox Cities/Green Bay area and less than a three-hour drive from the Milwaukee area, which makes it easy to plan a day trip to explore on sled in Oconto County.

The Wait Is Over: Hard Ice Is Here, and They’re Biting!

Locals in the great Northwoods don’t hibernate in winter. Rather, they enjoy many outdoor pursuits such as skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, skating, and ice fishing.

Our penchant for ice fishing puts us smack dab in the middle of our favorite frozen lake in Florence County. There are plenty of choices—over 265 lakes are scattered throughout this northeastern Wisconsin county.

Unlike grandpa, who had to walk to school uphill both ways and shiver over a spud-cut fishing hole, today’s ice warriors can fish in comfort, wearing much warmer clothing and hunkering inside fish shanties. Nor do they have to trudge hundreds of yards through deep snow, thanks to snowmobiles and ATVs/UTVs. Power augers make quick work of the drilling, and fish finders let you know what’s underneath.

If you’re new to the area, the number of lakes can be daunting. To help you sort out the possibilities, the Wild River Interpretive Center & Tourism in Florence offers these high-value lake suggestions: The best lakes in Florence County to catch northern pike through the ice are Patten Lake, Twin Falls Flowage, Fay Lake, Seidel Lake, and Sea Lion Lake. For trophy pike, give Lake Ellwood or the Brule River Flowage a try. There aren’t as many fish per acre in these two lakes, but the fish are monsters.

If you are looking to jig for panfish, the better waters are the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes, Sea Lion Lake, Twin Falls Flowage, and Halsey Lake. Or if you prefer the prized walleye, Lake Emily, Patten Lake, and the Brule River Flowage are the hot spots through the ice.

If you’re up for some friendly competition, consider one of the ice fishing derbies in the area. You could bring home some cash and other prizes, along with your catch of the day to enjoy later that night. (Please check with exploreflorencecounty.com or call 888889-0049 for updates on these tournaments, as the COVID-19 pandemic may result in cancellation of one or more of them.)

The Roadhouse 139 Ice Fishing Derby on Long Lake is in early January. Long Lake is known for nice northern pike and panfish. Leff’s Sports Bar Ice Fishing Derby is in February. This derby allows fishermen to fish on any lake. The Homestead and Aurora Conservation Club sponsor the Pete “Toad” Church Memorial Ice Fishing Derby generally in January, but it could take place later, depending on ice conditions. This derby takes place on the Pine River Flowage, an excellent smallmouth bass fishery.

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