Ice Fishing Derby with the Wisconsin Fishing Team

While our Ice Fishing Derby is canceled due to thin ice, we still have a great Winter Carnival lineup (and with early spring-like weather conditions)! Check it out at http://union.wisc.edu/wintercarnival.

We're Keeping It Reel This Winter

Join us for an educational Ice Fishing Derby with the Wisconsin Fishing Team. Participants may participate as experienced anglers or can participate as learners by taking one of our ice fishing lessons hosted by the University of Wisconsin Fishing team and our local DNR Wardens. These lessons will be run every hour on the hour so sign up below! Participants in the lessons will be provided with all the necessary fishing equipment needed to fish. Free hot chocolate from Peet’s Coffee will be available for all anglers.

This event will be free of charge, all you need to do is come with a current fishing license ($5.00 first-time angler licenses available at DNR.Wisconsin.gov). Anglers who catch fish worthy of our awards will be given a coupon for a free rental with Outdoor UW. Participants must be students.

Register for Lessons

• 12 p.m.
• 1 p.m.
• 2 p.m. 
• 3 p.m. 

Participant Rules and Instructions

• Participants must obey all DNR fishing regulations.
• Fish must be caught during the event hours on the waters within view of the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota.
• Wisconsin Union will provide all fishing equipment necessary for first-time anglers. Experienced anglers are welcome to bring their own tackle.
• The event will take place outside, so participants should dress to be warm for the duration. Ice cover can be quite wet so make sure to bring waterproof boots!

Awards

• First Fish
• Last Fish
• Biggest Fish
• Smallest Fish
• Biggest Perch
• Biggest Bluegill
• Biggest Crappie
• Biggest Walleye
• Biggest Northern
• Most Species Caught
• Best Fishing Photo

At the beginning of each session we will briefly teach the participants the absolute basics of ice fishing. We will then have each participant get a rod and they will disperse among the (many) drilled holes to try to catch a fish. We will go around and help the participants throughout the session. Participants will have access to jigging rods and tip ups.