Wild Things: Baileys Harbor Brown Trout Tourney Returns

Michael Shephard (center) holds the 2019 Baileys Harbor Brown Trout Tournament winner: a 33.5-inch, 22.83-pound trophy. Last year’s event was canceled because of the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Special to the Peninsula Pulse.

Participate April 15-17 off the Door/Kewaunee peninsula

After a one-year hiatus caused by the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Baileys Harbor Brown Trout Tournament is back on for 2021. This year’s contest – the 33rd – is set for April 15-17, with fishing allowed on Green Bay and Lake Michigan waters off Door and Kewaunee counties. 

Tickets, at $30 per person, will go on sale April 1 at more than a dozen locations, including the five weigh-in sites: B&K Bait and Tackle at Kap’s Marina on Washington Island, The Last Stop in Ellison Bay, Baileys 57 in Baileys Harbor, Howie’s Tackle & Archery in Sturgeon Bay, and Hooked Up Tackle Shop in Algoma. 

Additional ticket locations include Accurate Marine, Tackle & Storage in Kewaunee; the Algoma BP; the Baileys Harbor Visitor Center and Cornerstone Pub in Baileys Harbor; the Door County Fire Company and Greystone Castle in Sturgeon Bay; Golf ’n More In-Door in Egg Harbor; Jungwirth Ace Hardware in Sister Bay; Mink River Basin in Ellison Bay; and Virlee Gunworks in New Franken.

More than $8,000 in cash and prizes will be split among the top 40 anglers. First place nets $1,000 in cash and a $500 Door County vacation package sponsored by the Baileys Harbor Community Association. 

The top 40 winners in 2019 ranged from 12.21 pounds to the first-place winner at 22.83 pounds. A 20.3-pounder came in second. The 2018 heavyweight was a 22.38-pounder, followed by a 20.91-pounder. 

Tickets must be purchased before fishing, and all sales will end at the close of business April 15. Make advance ticket purchases with a credit card at BaileysHarbor.com. Questions? E-mail [email protected] or call 920.839.2366.

Fishing Licenses and Door CDAC Meeting

Fishers will need new 2021-22 fishing licenses beginning April 1. They’re available at many outlets or online at gowild.wi.gov.

Meanwhile, the County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) for Door County will meet via Zoom on March 29, 6 pm, to develop preliminary recommendations for antlerless harvest goals, antlerless tag availability and season options. Listen in at 312.626.6799 using code 837 8527 0425.

A public-comment period will follow, April 12-25, and CDACs will hold final objective-setting meetings in early May. See the metrics that council members use when making decisions at  dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt/cdac.

Outdoors Notebook

• More than 12,000 leftover Zone 2 wild turkey permits have been sold. As of Tuesday, about 2,300 remained for the final hunt period, May 26 – June 1. Check availability by zone at dnr.wisconsin.gov/permits/springturkey.html.

• Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students may submit original poems of up to 200 words in the Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Air, Air Everywhere poetry contest. Entries must describe the importance of clean air and include the poet’s name, the name of a parent or teacher, and the parent or teacher’s email address and phone number. Email poems by May 7 to [email protected]. There’s also a free Teacher’s Activity Guide available online. 

• Nature lovers can donate to the state’s Endangered Resources Fund on their Wisconsin income-tax form. Tax-deductible donations are matched dollar for dollar and are used to conserve endangered plants, animals and State Natural Areas. For the 2020 tax year, look for the donation on Form 1, line 21a. Partial-year residents or nonresidents who file Form 1NPR should look on line 55a. 

• Native plant sales are planned across the state in April. A number of nonprofits and government agencies are offering online or mail-order options. Information about native-plant sales, nurseries, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, how-to guidance, plant lists and more is available at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants.html.

• The DNR is seeking volunteers to lend their ears to two frog and toad surveys. As of last week, the agency was still looking for someone to cover a route in the Sturgeon Bay area. Visit wiatri.net to learn about this and other citizen-scientist monitoring opportunities.

• Bird City Wisconsin (birdcitywisconsin.org) is awarding $500 grants to current Bird City communities in three categories: creating and protecting bird habitat, educating residents about interactions between birds and people, and protecting birds by reducing threats. The application deadline is March 31. 

Sportsman’s Expo in Wisconsin Dells

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions in Madison and Dane County, the 2021 Wisconsin Open Season Sportsman’s Expo (formerly the Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo) will be held March 26-28 at the Kalahari Resort Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells. The expo (OpenSeasonSportsmansExpo.com) will spotlight new products and learning experiences for hunting, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts. 

Art of Conservation Contest

The deadline to enter the 2021 State Fish-Art Contest (StateFishArt.org) is March 31. Winners will be selected in four categories, from kindergarten through 12th grade. To enter, contestants create an original illustration of any species on the official fish list and a one-page writing entry. 

Weekly Water Levels

As of March 19, Lake Michigan was down 11 inches from last March’s all-time record high, but still two feet above the 100-year average and 53 inches above the all-time monthly low, set in 1964.