Florence COUNTY
11
EVENTS
Florence County -- more lakes than you can shake a jig stick at Countywide -- With 265 lakes and a few river flowages, there are many places to fish in Florence County. Ice fishing is a social activity aimed at curing cabin fever as well as catching some fish to eat. The most social form of this activity happens at ice fishing derbies. For a small entry fee, participants have the chance to win prizes while having fun with family and friends and meeting many new acquaintances.
Leff’s Fishing Derby The seventh annual Leff’s Fishing Derby will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17. Headquarters is Leff’s Bar. You can fish any Florence County waterbody for this event. Entry fee is $5 with 100% payout. Fishing begins at dawn and ends at 4:30pm. There will be raffles and food to enjoy. For more information, call 715528-5151. The Pete “Toad” Church Ice Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Aurora-Homestead Conservation Club, will be Saturday, Feb. 24 on the Pine River Flowage. Entry fee is $7 for adults, with kids 12 and under free entered free. Registration starts at 6am on the ice or pre-register at Bob’s Midland in Aurora. Fishing hours are 6am to 3:30pm. Cash prizes will be awarded, and food and soda will
be available. For more information, call 715-589-4400. Check ExploreFlorenceCounty.com events tab for the latest information. Tip-up fishing for northern pike is a relaxing family activity. Northern pike feed actively throughout the daylight hours, so you don’t have to brave the dark and cold. And once you get your tip-ups set, you can sit back and watch your tip-ups or throw a football or play a game of badminton or snow-golf on the ice. 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. If you are looking for a 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 there 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 walleye, Lake Emily, Patten Lake and the Brule River Flowage are the hot spots through the ice. So call ahead to make sure the ice is thick enough and then pack up your ice fishing gear, shanty or bucket and come join the fun.
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NORTHWOODS region
Church Ice Fishing Derby
Feb. 10-11 Florence – Snowmobile Hillcross and Hillclimb Championship Races: Keyes Peak Ski Hill. 10 am start both days. Feb. 17 Florence – Leff’s Fishing Derby: 5am to 4:30pm, any lake in county. 715-528-5151. Feb 24 Florence – Fireman’s Ball: 5pm, Encore on Central Ballroom: Feb. 24 Florence – Ice Fishing Derby: 6am to 3:30pm, Pine River Flowage. March 3 Florence -Keyes Peak Winterfest: 11am to 4pm.