As Seen In WI.com

Wisconsin wildlife officials say they can help your kids beat cabin fever. The cure: ice fishing lessons.

The Department of Natural Resources plans to hold its 19th annual children's ice fishing clinics on park ponds and lagoons around Milwaukee and Waukesha counties on Saturday, Feb. 6. Agency officials say the clinics are a great way to introduce youths to the sport.

The clinics are free. Kids learn about ice safety and fishing techniques. Equipment and snacks will be provided.

Each clinic starts on the hour and lasts about 45 minutes. Classroom instruction will take place regardless of the weather and ice conditions.

Clinic locations are available at http://www.dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1558

State wildlife officials are predicting big things for the sturgeon-spearing season, which starts in a few weeks.

The Department of Natural Resources has seen a resurgence of sturgeon weighing 150 pounds or more. And DNR crews say they frequently deal with live sturgeon that weigh over 200 pounds.

Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

A fatal fish virus has been detected in Lake Superior for the first time, meaning it has spread to all the Great Lakes, researchers said Wednesday.

Cornell University scientists said they recently detected viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, while testing fish in the largest of the Great Lakes.

VHS has been identified in 28 freshwater fish species within the Great Lakes watershed since 2005, including popular sport and commercial varieties such as walleye, muskellunge and whitefish.

Although not dangerous for humans, the virus has caused large fish kills in Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron. It also has turned up in Lake Michigan.

Even so, officials in Michigan and Wisconsin said Wednesday there was no evidence of a widespread outbreak in Lake Superior. They said the Cornell findings would not lead to any immediate changes in boating or fishing regulations.

The Eagle River Business Association (ERBA) will sponsor its annual parade with Santa Claus and his reindeer Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning at 1 p.m. in the parking lot across the street from The Christmas House on Wall Street.

A new addition to this year’s parade will be ice shanties decorated for Christmas. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Parade participants may wear costumes and holiday hats and may create Christmas banners or signs.

Participants will walk to the Eagle River Depot Museum, located in the old train depot, where children will be able to share their Christmas wish list with Santa from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Milk and cookies will be available and the staff from Rocking W Stables will provide free sleigh rides in conjunction with visits with Santa Claus.

Businesses in downtown Eagle River will have expanded hours and sales for Christmas shoppers.

For more information or to register an ice shanty for the parade, contact Katie Hayes at (715) 891-4929 or Michelle Rubo at 891-5423.