Fishing, hiking and the other skills we now call “outdoor activities” were essential parts of life for thousands of years in this area known as Wisconsin.

In recent times the activities have become recreational for most people.

That doesn’t make them unimportant. In fact, time spent outdoors is arguably more critical now than it’s ever been for physical and mental health.

Studies over recent decades have shown Americans adopting more sedentary lifestyles – spending less time connecting with nature and more time indoors on digital devices.

Wisconsin officials have seen it, too, in declining or flat participation in certain outdoor activities.

In an effort to spark interest in angling, in 1987 the Department of Natural Resources offered Wisconsin’s first Free Fishing Day. It allowed anyone, state resident or visitor, to fish without a license.

In 1994 it doubled in size to become Free Fishing Weekend, traditionally held on the first full weekend in June, according to state records.

A fired Detroit TV news anchor blasted her former station, and their parent company, for letting her male colleagues’ bad behavior slide and then axing her when she complained about the unfair treatment, a new lawsuit claims.

Taryn Asher filed the federal sexual discrimination lawsuit on Wednesday against Fox Television Stations and her former workplace, WJBK TV, known as Fox 2 Detroit, in connection with her sudden termination in November.

The station went downhill after Fox 2 hired Paul McGonagle as their general manager —  sparking a slew of female firings, while men, including Asher’s co-anchor Roop Raj, were offered more perks, the 26-page complaint obtained by The Post alleged.

“If Asher had not been female, she would not have been treated in the same discriminatory manner,” the filing, first reported by Deadline Detroit, said.

Raj was treated “more favorably” and offered “more guest interview segment opportunities on the evening news,” as well as scheduling adjustments, Asher claimed.

In one example, Asher alleged the station refused to let her adjust her schedule to host a show called “Let it Rip,” though Raj was given the leeway to host his show, “The Pulse.”

The suit also alleged that WJBK allowed him to “circumvent and undermine” Asher’s work responsibilities.

She later emailed McGonagle about the situation, writing, “I’m concerned about the lack of balance and equity, particularly compared to my co-anchor who holds the same responsibilities but has a more accommodating schedule.”

McGonagle met with Asher to tell her she would not be adjusting the schedule, and her new program would be put on hold, according to court papers.

An Emmy award-winning veteran broadcast journalist, Asher claimed that Raj had also been assigned all of the guest interviews they were supposed to split for Election Day, court documents said.

After complaining to management to no avail, Asher decided to speak with the co-anchor about her concerns that he was receiving “preferable treatment.”

The next day, Raj contacted human resources and “offensively labeled Asher as ‘jealous,’ and grossly mischaracterized Asher’s complaints of sex-based discrimination as Asher ‘[having] an issue with men vs. women,” court papers claim.

Shortly after, Asher was placed on leave “pending an investigation into alleged complaints of ‘egregious behavior’” with her Fox colleagues — and fired after a two-week probe for “outbursts” in the newsroom, the lawsuit said.

Asher denied having any such “outbursts” that warranted her to be fired, according to court papers.

Several male employees at the station had also exhibited “unprofessional behavior and misconduct” with lesser consequences, the filing alleged.

Among the examples, Raj was allegedly “merely suspended” for two weeks after being arrested for driving under the influence in 2012, and McGonagle was also allegedly promoted after a DUI arrest at a different Fox station.

Asher is seeking unspecified damages from Fox Television Stations and WJBK TV.

The action followed the longtime Detroit anchor’s complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that was subjected to “less favorable treatment” than male employees.

Neither Fox, McGonagle, nor Raj responded to The Post’s request for comment.

Tears, prayers, songs and memories filled the Lancaster Elementary School parking lot June 2 as family, friends and fellow members of S.I.G. Youth Fraternity, Inc. gathered at a Blackout Community memorial to honor Pepe Sikisi-Belle Jr.

Sikisi-Belle, 22, was killed May 30 during a birthday party for his son at Center Street Park in Milwaukee. During the private memorial, loved ones shared stories of the Milwaukee man, who was known within the fraternity as “House Party.”

‘He was the life of the party’

The memorial was emceed by fellow S.I.G. Youth Fraternity member Juanie Johnson, who said he had known Sikisi-Belle, a father of three, since he was a freshman.

“I actually pledged him into [S.I.G. Youth Fraternity], so I’ve had the opportunity to work with Pepe since he was in ninth grade,” Johnson said. “Like we said, we’re here to celebrate his life. This is what we do when one of our members passes. Just remember that although he’s gone, he will forever live in our hearts.”

Several fraternity brothers remembered Sikisi-Belle as the ‘life of the party’ who regularly checked on friends and family.

Speakers said Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity name, “House Party,” reflected not only his outgoing personality but also the comfort he provided to others. One fraternity member described him as a sincere soul who was always there for those around him, while others recalled his playful side and said he was known for teasing and trolling his friends.

One of Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity line brothers was too emotional to speak during the memorial, so Johnson spoke on his behalf.