Event to be held on Weyauwega Lake
By Angie Landsverk
The second annual Weyauwega Lake Youth Fisheree will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26.
Weyauwega Lake Restoration Inc. is hosting it in partnership with Walleyes for Kids, the Weyauwega Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Weyauwega.
It was the lake group’s idea to start the event.
“We did it last year. For the first year, it went really well. Everyone went home with at least one thing,” said Kyle Scherwinski.
He is an English teacher at Weyauwega-Fremont High School, and the adviser of the school’s fishing club.
Scherwinski is also a member of the lake group.
Like last year, the youth fisheree is taking place near the Lake Street boat landing.
Admission is free.
Teams must include at least one angler under age 18.
Youth anglers have to be accompanied by an adult.
Registration is 8- 9 a.m.
Participants may choose if they keep or release their catch.
The final weigh-in is at 1:15 p.m., with awards and prizes to follow at 1:30 p.m.
Prizes are only being awarded to anglers under age 18.
Scherwinski said 19 teams – made up of 66 people in all – participated in last year’s youth fisheree.
Teams registered bass, northern pike and bluegill.
Each angler under age 18 went home with a variety of prizes donated by local businesses and groups.
Walleyes for Kids has already donated dozens of prizes for this year’s event, ranging from fishing rods to ice scoops and tip-ups.
Members of the Weyauwega-Fremont Fishing Club participated last year and are doing so again this year.
They are volunteering at the event.
Fishing club members are going to help teams drill holes if they do not have an ice auger.
They are also selling concessions, including hot chocolate, hot cider, hotdogs and sloppy joes.
Scherwinski said proceeds from the concessions go toward the cost of invasive species removal and improving recreational access on the lake.
A goal is to create a youth fishing area on the north side of the lake.
The plan includes a new fishing pier, area for ice skating and fish stick project, he said.
Club members also plan to fish.
Noah Greening, a senior at W-F High School, fished last year.
“It was pretty fun,” he said. “I will probably fish and help out as well.”
Matthew Zeichert is a sophomore, and said his team caught the most northern in last year’s fisheree.
He said it is fun to see others catching fish.
Steven Billington is also a sophomore at the high school.
Last year was the first time he caught something on the ice.
“It was pretty awesome,” he said. “It’s an experience. You’re talking and before you know it, you get something.”
Tristen Wieters says companionship is a big part of the event.
“Having all your friends out there – it’s just the idea of getting out there and fishing out of hard water rather than open water,” said the high school sophomore.
In addition to the concession area, the fisheree includes space for warming up, as well as restrooms.
Scherwinski said it is among the handful of events the club is participating in this year.
“I was amazed by the tournament last year,” he said.