IRON MOUNTAIN — Trail groomers were busy after Thursday’s snow storm, although travelwisconsin.com reported only “partially open” snowmobile trails in the southern part of Marinette County.

Conditions in Florence County were good, with a base of 8 to 12 inches.

Tri-County Snowmobile Club expected to have most of its system groomed by today, but colder weather is needed to freeze the swamps.

The snow has also caused a small amount of slush on some area lakes, but overnight lows near 10 degrees this weekend should harden it.

“The walleye bite has picked up,” said Fay Whisler at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. “A fisherman reported a catch just over 27 inches earlier in the week.”

Northern pike action has been steady and panfish results have been mixed.

“Wonderbread and gold-colored tungsten jigs have been performing well for crappie and bluegill,” Whisler said.

Today and Sunday is free fishing weekend in Wisconsin. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain species.

Participants in the 14th annual Pete “Toad” Church ice fishing derby will be registering catches at the C & R Bar in Aurora, Wis. until 7 p.m. today. The event, open to all area waters, is sponsored by the Homestead-Aurora Conservation Club.

Tip-Up Town of the U.P. takes place Saturday, Feb. 4, at Sawyer Lake north of Channing. Registration for the fishing contest begins at 7 a.m. Food will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club.

Roadhouse 139’s annual fishing derby on Long Lake in Florence County is also Feb. 4.

Other upcoming tournaments include the Northern Lites Fisher Lake derby in Florence on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Leff’s annual All Lake Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 18. Leff’s is three miles west of Florence on Highway 101.

Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan is Feb. 18 and 19.