BLANCHARDVILLE - Yellowstone Lake was a popular venue among area sportsmen and women Sunday as a large crowd turned out for the 51st Annual Fisharee sponsored by the various sportsmen's clubs of Lafayette County.
Folks took advantage of moderate weather conditions to enjoy a day of outdoors fun, according to organizer Dave Breunig of Darlington.
"The weather can be public enemy number one," he said, "but this year the weather is great, and we've got a good crowd."
Ice conditions were excellent with depths of up to 18 inches across the lake. The fishing was relatively good with most anglers landing at least a few crappies or bluegills.
Some participants used some rather high tech equipment to search out the hiding spots of the biggest fish. Paul Whitford of Mineral Point dropped his Aquaview camera down to about 12 feet to look for one of the many cribs placed at strategic locations around the lake by area sportsmen's groups.
In addition to several bluegills and crappies, he got a good look at a muskie estimated at about 40 inches in length. It eased out of the crib and came straight to the camera, Whitford said. "It was like he was posing."
Others took advantage of the BB gun shoot or the "ice putting" contest. Michael Myers and Ray Schuchart of Cuba City each holed a couple of 20-footers in the putting contest, giving them a chance to win some money in a 50/50 drawing.
The Fisharee attracts anglers each year from southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Peter Billman of Fox Lake won first prize for the largest walleye. Billman drove down for his second fisharee with fishing buddy Damian Rogowski.
Ticket sales were brisk with several sportsmen selling more than $600 worth, including Bill Bruce of Monroe, who sold 126 books.
All proceeds from the Fisharee go to support area conservation projects. The event is held each year on the first Sunday of February.
Folks took advantage of moderate weather conditions to enjoy a day of outdoors fun, according to organizer Dave Breunig of Darlington.
"The weather can be public enemy number one," he said, "but this year the weather is great, and we've got a good crowd."
Ice conditions were excellent with depths of up to 18 inches across the lake. The fishing was relatively good with most anglers landing at least a few crappies or bluegills.
Some participants used some rather high tech equipment to search out the hiding spots of the biggest fish. Paul Whitford of Mineral Point dropped his Aquaview camera down to about 12 feet to look for one of the many cribs placed at strategic locations around the lake by area sportsmen's groups.
In addition to several bluegills and crappies, he got a good look at a muskie estimated at about 40 inches in length. It eased out of the crib and came straight to the camera, Whitford said. "It was like he was posing."
Others took advantage of the BB gun shoot or the "ice putting" contest. Michael Myers and Ray Schuchart of Cuba City each holed a couple of 20-footers in the putting contest, giving them a chance to win some money in a 50/50 drawing.
The Fisharee attracts anglers each year from southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Peter Billman of Fox Lake won first prize for the largest walleye. Billman drove down for his second fisharee with fishing buddy Damian Rogowski.
Ticket sales were brisk with several sportsmen selling more than $600 worth, including Bill Bruce of Monroe, who sold 126 books.
All proceeds from the Fisharee go to support area conservation projects. The event is held each year on the first Sunday of February.