Outdoors report: Truck drags, Antoine derby ahead
TRUCKS RACE UP the hill during a previous Uphill Truck Drags event at Keyes Peak in Florence, Wis. The seventh-annual side by side racing event is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Keyes Peak ski hill off Highway 101. (Courtesy photo)
IRON MOUNTAIN — The Keyes Peak UpHill Truck Drags will take place Saturday, Feb. 28, featuring high-drama racing in Florence, Wis.
Starting at 10:30 a.m., trucks from around the country will race up the snowy slopes to the finish line at the top of Keyes Peak. All types of modified trucks, some with jacked-up fuels, spin to the top
Event proceeds benefit Keyes Peak Ski Hill Committee, Blue Ox Trail Riders and Florence Volunteer Fire Department.
Admission is $10, free for ages 12 and under. No carry-ins are permitted.
There are seven truck classes and more big-truck races will be held earlier in the day so fans can see the nitro excitement, organizers said.
Cash prizes and trophies will be given at the end of the day to the top finishers.
Spectators can park in the expanded lot north of the Keyes Peak Ski Lodge. When that lot is full, spectators can part at these sites and catch a free shuttle bus: Energy Services (next to BP), Great North Bank, Florence High School, Florence Visitor Center, Northern Lites, Annie’s Trading Post, Town of Florence Garage (behind Pat’s) and 101 Bar & Grill.
Four shuttle buses will be running every 15 minutes. For safety reasons, there will be no parking along Highway 101.
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A charity ice fishing tournament, hosted by MJE Cares, is set for Saturday, Feb. 28, at Lake Antoine in Iron Mountain. Registration runs from 6:30 to 8 a.m., with the first lines set to drop at 8 a.m.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the largest northern pike, walleye, bluegill, perch and crappie. For ages 16 and under, there will be a separate category for the biggest fish. Optional jackpot entries for the largest pike and walleye will be available as well.
The awards ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m.
Pre-registration is encouraged for a fast check-in time the day of the event. Those interested can go to the MJE Cares Foundation Facebook page. QR codes are also printed on flyers and shared online.
The entry fee is $40 per adult and $15 for ages 15 and younger.
The non-profit’s mission is to support individuals and families facing medical hardship.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports 10 snowmobile fatalities so far this year and urges all snowmobile operators to ride safely and ride smart.
Sled Safe education/enforcement weekends were held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and Feb. 6-8. During those weekends, DNR conservation wardens patrolled snowmobile trails, providing safety tips to riders and watching for operators who may be impaired or causing safety problems for themselves and others.
“For the last several years, we have held Sled Safe, an all-hands-on-deck patrol effort with a goal of reducing crashes and fatalities. Safety is the number one goal for wardens and other officers out patrolling our trails,” said Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, DNR off-highway vehicle administrator. “Alcohol and speed are the top factors in severe crashes.”
Here are some results from the 2026 Sled Safe weekends:
— 34 counties patrolled.
— Over 1,300 contacts.
— Over 100 citations issued.
— Over 300 warnings given.
— 3 OWI and 3 drug-related arrests
— 21 snowmobiler assists.
According to travelwisconsin.com, trails are open in Florence County, but be prepared for some icy conditions, most notably in heavily forested or shaded areas.
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The Michigan DNR reported this Upper Peninsula fishing activity:
Little Bay de Noc: Mild temperatures during the day and below-freezing temperatures at night made for good travel conditions, even for wheeled vehicles. Perch anglers reported fair fishing, with most successful trip reports coming from the upper bay. Some large perch were reported. Anglers were using set lines baited with wigglers and minnows, as well as jigging with spoons or small jig heads.
Anglers targeting walleye reported slow fishing. They reported very tight-lipped fish, with most marks displaying a reluctance to bite. Anglers fishing the upper bay caught small walleye, with only a few keeper walleye. Northern pike were biting, giving walleye anglers a chance for some fun, as most reported slow action.
Munising: The coho salmon bite was on and off this past week but some anglers found success. The splake bite remained steady throughout the bay, with a lot of smaller ones being caught. Anglers targeting whitefish reported a very slow bite with limited success. As for the perch bite, anglers reported doing well when targeting them. Anglers also reported large schools of smelt in the bay. Popular baits were wax worms and minnows.






