IRON MOUNTAIN — It’s free fishing next weekend in Wisconsin with no license required to fish state waters where there’s an open season.

Conveniently, it coincides with the popular Pete “Toad” Church Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, Jan. 21, sponsored by the Homestead-Aurora Conservation Club. Register in advance at Bob’s Midland Service in Aurora, Wis., 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 under. The derby is open to any body of water.

Anglers taking advantage of free fishing weekend Jan. 21-22 are reminded that all other fishing regulations apply.

The perch bite has picked up, according to Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. “Fishermen were having luck jigging with spoons tipped with waxworms,” she said.

Crappie and bluegill action has been fair, with lots of smaller catches, and northern pike are active, seemingly biting at any time. The walleye bite has been slow, Whisler said.

“If you’re fishing this species on a clear lake, you may have better luck after dark using a jig pole instead of a tip-up,” she advised.

Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club will host its annual Tip-Up Town on Saturday, Feb. 4.