MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Anglers across the state can wet a line without a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp.

“We encourage people that maybe haven’t participated in ice fishing in the past and want to check it out and learn a little bit more about it to join their family and friends or go to a nearby lake and consider giving it a try themselves,” Bob Nack with the Wisconsin DNR said.

Youth 15-year-old or under don’t need a license to go ice fishing any time of the year, so Nack says this free weekend applies to those that are 16-year-old and older.

“The idea is that hopefully they have a good time and enjoy themselves, want to do it in the future and that ignites that passion for natural resources that we have here in Wisconsin and their intertest in getting more involved with that in the future,” Nack said.

Nack says ice fishing doesn’t have to be a very gear-intensive sport.

“People shouldn’t feel intimidated if they don’t have all of the fancy equipment to go ice fishing,” he said. “You need a hole in the ice and some basic bait and getting advice from people that are out there fishing or the nearest bait shop is probably a good idea.”

Anglers can rent gear at various tackle loaner sites across the state. You can find those here, listed by county.

The Wisconsin DNR also wants to make sure everyone is safe out on the ice.

“Obviously, I would avoid areas of the lake where there’s nobody fishing because either the fish aren’t biting there or it could potentially be unsafe as well,” Nack said. “Just using some common sense and not exploring areas that may be unsafe.”

Nack adds ice tends to be a little bit thinner on springs and where there’s moving water.

The DNR is also hosting Learn to Ice Fish clinics during Free Fishing Weekend. You can register online or by calling 608-266-4711.

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MEQUON, Wis. – Wisconsinites are soaking up what’s left of the warm weather as an arctic blast moves into the area.

Local perspective:

Great minds think alike when the temperatures are above freezing in mid-January.  At a Kwik Trip in Mequon, drivers waited patiently to remove salt from their cars from treated roads.

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“Get a car wash on a nice day, get the salt off the car,” Mequon resident Morgan Stone said.

The wait time for suds varied.

“Is it worth the wait? I think so,” Stone said about the long line. “I don’t want the truck to rust, got to get the salt off of it.”

The usual quick trip to Kwik Trip was a slower experience than expected for some.

What you can do:

As southeast Wisconsin expects to see temperatures as low as single digits and subzero values starting Saturday, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is urging people to bundle up.

“I think preparation is the key there [is] making sure your other individuals are dressed appropriately,” Wisconsin Department of Health Services Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sheryl Bedno said. “We’ve all heard about layering probably three layers is ideal, looser clothing, protecting your extremities, hands and feet are more prone to frostbite.”

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The warning is all too familiar for those familiar with the winter weather.

“I’m a Milwaukeean, so when you say bad, what is bad to me? Because I been to -23°, to today it’s 50°, so what came to my mind is bundle up, get ready,” Milwaukee resident Carol Harmon said.

Cold weather safety

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services shared the following information on handling cold weather-related health:

• Get the victim into a warm room or shelter.
• If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it.
• Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head and groin) using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible.

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