IRON MOUNTAIN — Panfish action has been good and anglers were reporting 8 to 12 inches of ice as of Friday on most area waters.

“Bluegill are hitting hard on waxworms,” said Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. The walleye bite has been fair, with shiners and suckers under tip-ups the best bet.

“Northern pike have been keeping fishermen busy,” Whisler added. “A lot of smaller catches.”

Saturday, Jan. 21, is the date for the annual Pete “Toad” Church Ice Fishing Derby, which takes place during Wisconsin’s free fishing weekend. Register in advance at Bob’s Midland Service in Aurora, Wis.; fish any area water; and bring catches to the C & R Bar in Aurora by 7 p.m. on derby day.

There are door prizes, along with cash prizes for perch, walleye, northern pike, crappie and bluegill/pumpkinseed. The entry fee is $10 and free for children ages 12 and younger. The event is sponsored by the Homestead-Aurora Conservation Club.

Tri-County Snowmobile Club will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Waucedah Township Hall in Loretto. There will be an election of board members and officers.

While most trails have been groomed, club members said more snow is needed to fill in bumps and low snow areas.

In Wisconsin, Blue Ox Trail Riders will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at the Resource Center in Florence.

The Porcupine Mountains Winter Sports Complex, just inside the entrance to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula, opened its slopes Friday.

There are also groomed winter trails open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. A Recreation Passport is required to enter the park and a lift ticket will be needed to use the triple lift.

United Sportsmen’s Club in Merriman will have a gun and knife show from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14.

Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. Table rentals are $25. For more information, go online to https://www.unitedsportsmeninc.com/ or call 906-282-2816.

Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club will host a gun show Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, at the clubhouse on Sawyer Lake.