Lions celebrate the 50th annual Fisheree

Feb. 14, 2026 will be the 50th annual Rhinelander Lions Club Fisheree on Boom Lake, headquartered at the pavilion at the Hodag Park boat landing. The Fisheree is an event many ice anglers wait for all year. Generation after generation of anglers have been involved in the event, and many residents come to the pavilion just to enjoy the camaraderie of getting together year after year.

The Fisheree is actually two competitions in one. Anglers over the age of 11 are all entered into the adult category. They will fish for a total prize money of $2,600. There are cash prizes for the longest northern pike, with first through sixth being awarded. First through third place is awarded a cash prize for the longest walleye, and first and second place in length are awarded cash prizes for perch, bluegill and bass. Crappie are also awarded first through third place. The entry fee for the adult tournament is $20 up until 7:30 a.m. the morning of the tournament. After that, a late entry fee of $25 is accepted up until 10 a.m. 

The event starts at 6:30 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. All fish must be of legal size and all other state fishing regulations must be adhered to during the event. Participants who are registering a fish must show their ticket to the judges to show proof they have paid their entry. Tickets are not transferable. Tickets can be purchased before the event at Mel’s Trading Post, Circle K (formerly the Holiday Gas Station), River Street Tap and J & T’s Bait-N-Tackle. 

Kids’ event

The kids’ fishing contest runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids fish free, and there is no need to register prior to the tournament. Each child that brings a fish in during any hour of the competition will be entered into the hourly drawing for a non-cash prize. Non-cash prizes are also given out in each category for the longest fish brought in by a child entered into the kids fishing event. Prizes are given out for three places for the longest northern, walleye, crappie, perch, bluegill and bass. 

“What we’re trying to do is to encourage kids to get out there with their families,” said Lion Mike Romportl. The hope, he said, is that kids will continue on fishing well into adulthood.

For attendees

Food and beverages are available for purchase in the pavilion at Hodag Park throughout the event. There are also basket raffles in which the public is welcome to get involved. There are also two 50/50 raffles during the day. One of those raffles will be held in the pavilion, and the other will be held out on the ice. Volunteers will drive around selling tickets to anglers throughout the day, allowing anglers to get involved in the raffles without leaving the ice.

The proceeds

The Lions use the proceeds from this tournament, for many local needs. Vision is the primary mission for the Lions, and money from the Fisheree go to the local vision screening for area kids. Proceeds are also used to sponsor youth sports, both in baseball and the YMCA youth sports. 

The eye care fund, administered through the county, is another benefactor of the Fisheree. This allows people to get a voucher for an eye exam, or even eye wear if they qualify for the program.

The Lions also hold a large Christmas dinner, which Romportl said was a big success again this year. The Lions also donate to the food pantry, hold the Rhinelander Head Start Christmas meal, as well as help to support the domestic abuse center Lily’s Place and many other groups. Romportl said there are approximately 30 different entities to which the Lions donate throughout the year. The Fisheree, he said, is a way for people to get out, fish with friends and family, possibly win some prizes, and to support a number of great causes throughout the Northwoods. 

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].