WAUPACA, Wis. — Winter sports for high schoolers in Wisconsin sometimes get disrupted by snow or freezing temperatures.
One group embraces the harsh weather and heads outside to our frozen lakes to compete.
They’re part of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (WIFA). Teams from across the state compete in tournaments throughout the cold season.
Riley Hemme and his Kaukauna teammates recently set up shop during a Saturday tournament on Round Lake in Waupaca. The team put their lines in at 7:30 a.m. and had until 1 p.m. to pull in their catch.
“We’re the leader in bass, the leader in perch, and I think we got over 10 or 12 northern and a handful of crappie and bluegills,” Riley Hemme said. “We’re doing pretty good.”
Kaukauna teamed up with Waupaca to host the ten-team tournament on the Chain ‘O Lakes. Hemme, his friends and his parents were up early to compete.
“It’s a fun experience,” said Joe Hemme, Riley’s father. “It gets us out of the house. Riley’s been doing this for several years, so he’s usually got a good plan going. He was out here pre-fishing last weekend to get an idea of what spots to try.”
About 120 schools across the state have a team and over 1,500 students take part. Fishing can be slow at times, but when one hits a tip-up, the frozen lake comes to life.
“Fourteen and a quarter,” announced Michael Herres, Kaukauna junior.
He pulled in a large-mouth bass for the team. The fish is measured, logged and then released. A ‘Coach On the Ice’ takes a picture of the measurement and the student with their catch. The information goes into an app that tracks different categories for each team.
“The app turns on when the tournament starts and now the app will shut off with the close of the tournament at one o’clock,” said Karina Hemme, Riley’s mother.
Kaukauna senior Jack Berken wants other students to get excited about the team, regardless of their fishing experience.
“I just like to get more kids into it. There’s a lot of kids who are just scared to be on the team but we’re all here to help you and get you into it,” said Berken. “Everybody has tip-ups for you, an auger, a place where you can stay warm, hooks, bait, we have everything for you.”
When 1 p.m. hits, the teams pack up their gear and head for the awards ceremony. Gear was handed out for winners in different fish categories.
Until this year, Waupaca didn’t even have an ice fishing team. They do now, thanks largely to one of their students.
“We had to run it through the student council and we luckily got it by the school board and I was blessed to have my neighbor, he was on board to help coach,” said Carter Hoelzel, Waupaca junior.
Students like Hoelzel have fun fishing with their friends on the weekend, but they’re not limited to just one sport. Hoelzel also plays on Waupaca’s basketball team.
“Last night we had a game against Marinette,” explained Hoelzel. “Luckily, it was at home here in Waupaca. But I didn’t get home until, I don’t know, ten o’clock, and I had to get stuff ready for this morning. I only got about four and a half hours of sleep, but it is what it is.”
It was a short night’s sleep for many of the participants.
“Ah, you just run off of energy drinks,” said Jack Berken.
But after a long, wintry day, they weren’t looking for sympathy. They’re all looking for that next fish.
The WIFA State Championship will take place Feb. 18-19 on Lake Petenwel and Castle Rock Lake in Adams County. All teams have an opportunity to compete at state by competing in one of several WIFA qualifying events.