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Stewardship program expires
Plus: Inland trout, camping in remote places, $50,000 prize won
Forrest Koslowski
March 26, 2026
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Mornin’ to everyone sad that the Oneida County snowmobile trails are now closed. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly, the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.
This week’s weekly:
🎣 Reminder: New opening day for inland trout
🏕️ YouTuber camps in some of the most remote places in WI
📕 Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate wins $50,000
❌ STORY OF THE WEEK: Stewardship program will likely expire
🎣 Reminder: New opening day for inland trout LINK
Dust off the waders and check your line, because the Wisconsin DNR just announced that the inland trout harvest season is opening a full month early on April 4th.
Why the early invite? Our trout populations are officially thriving, so the DNR is giving us more time on the water while other fishing seasons are still tucked in for the winter.
Just a heads up: you’ll need your 2026-2027 license and inland trout stamp to get in on the action, and be sure to double-check the bag limits since they’ve changed for some spots.
🏕️ YouTuber camps in some of the most remote places in WI LINK
Ever feel like the local state park is a bit too "peoply"? Meet Melanie Radzicki McManus, a Wisconsin hiker who spent her 2024 traveling to the most remote, middle-of-nowhere spots in every single one of our 72 counties.
From dodging waist-high nettles to navigating swampy terrain where trails simply don't exist, Melanie found that the most "remote" spots aren't always deep in the north woods—sometimes they’re just tucked-away corners of farmland where the only neighbors are cows and quiet.
Her big takeaway for the rest of us? You don't need a plane ticket to find adventure; just grab a map, embrace a little mud, and go see what's waiting in those blank spots on the Wisconsin grid—just maybe pack some extra bug spray for the journey.
📕 Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate wins $50,000 LINK
Huge congrats are in order for Kimberly Blaeser, our former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, who just snagged a massive $50,000 prize from the National Book Foundation for her latest collection, Ancient Light.
Her work is like a love letter to the Midwest, weaving together her Anishinaabe heritage with deep reflections on our local landscapes—proving that the stories told in our woods and wetlands carry a weight that resonates far beyond the state line.
If you’re looking for some "back-to-nature" inspiration that doesn't involve hiking boots, Blaeser’s poems are the perfect way to see our familiar Wisconsin lakes and trees through a much more soulful, ancient lens. See the event here.
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❌ STORY OF THE WEEK: Stewardship program will likely expire LINK
Today, we’re talking about a bit of a "gut-punch" for the Wisconsin outdoors. If you’ve ever hiked the Ice Age Trail, launched a boat into a pristine northern lake, or enjoyed a sunset at a state park, you’ve likely got the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to thank. For over 30 years, this program has been the MVP of Wisconsin conservation, using a mix of grants and bonds to preserve the wild places we love.
But here’s the rub: the clock is ticking, and it’s ticking loud.
The program is set to expire in 2026, and despite a bipartisan push to keep the wheels turning, the Wisconsin Senate recently wrapped up their session without taking a vote on its renewal. Now, we’re looking at a $1 billion gap in conservation funding over the next decade.
Think of it like this: the Stewardship Program is the "designated driver" for our state’s natural beauty—it makes sure everything stays safe and protected while the rest of us are out there having a good time. Without it, new trails might not get built, local parks could lose out on vital upgrades, and those "private property" signs might start popping up in places that used to be open to everyone.
It’s a classic Madison standoff, and while the political football gets tossed around, our woods and waters are the ones sitting on the sidelines. We aren’t quite at the "game over" screen yet, but if you value your Saturday morning paddle or your secret deer stand, this is one story you’ll want to keep your eyes on.
After all, they aren’t making any more Wisconsin—so we’d better make sure we can keep the parts we’ve got.
Now get out 'der.
WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL
Last Week's Trivia Check
We asked which region recorded the highest snowfall total during the historic mid-March blizzard. You guys track the weather as closely as the rut—70% of you correctly identified the bulls-eye!
The Correct Answer: Door County.
The Takeaway: While the Wausau area was hit incredibly hard with over 30 inches, Egg Harbor in Door County took the top spot with a whopping 33 inches of snow! The powerful storm funneled heavy moisture and 50+ mph winds directly into the peninsula, creating massive snow drifts and leaving thousands without power.
This Week's Trivia
As the snow finally recedes and the ground softens, upland hunters and bird dog owners are heading to the edges of damp woods at twilight. They are listening for a very specific, bizarre ritual that signals the true arrival of spring in the brush.
Right now in late March, a strange Wisconsin gamebird affectionately known as the "Timberdoodle" is beginning its twilight mating ritual. What is the signature sound this bird makes on the ground before launching into its erratic aerial "Sky Dance"?Give it a gut check and click a response below: |
MEME OF THE WEEK 😆
A review from the trail… WHOOP WHOOP!
Well, how'd we do this week? |
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