The Brice Prairie Conservation Association (BPCA) was founded in 1958 to support conservation projects in the lower Black River area of southwestern Wisconsin.
The BPCA has been recognized with local, state, and national awards for its conservation and community-related activities. Specific goals of the BPCA are to:
- restore the natural beauty of the Black River and the surrounding territory;
- promote the general health and welfare of the community by supporting sound management practices for the Black River, Lake Onalaska, and the Mississippi River;
- disseminate knowledge and promote scientific inquiries.
BPCA is a 501c3 organization; donations are welcome and can be sent to: BPCA, c/o Ben Tippetts, Treasurer, W7931 County Road ZB, Onalaska, WI 54650
64th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 3, 2024
Lake Onalaska (Registration at Mosey Landing: W7207 North Shore Lane)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Winning Fish Board from the 2023 Derby
Come join us for the 64th Annual Brice Prairie Fishing Derby!
- Entry Tickets $5.00
- 5 Categories-Bluegill, Crappie, Bass, Perch, Northern
- Prizes for each category: 1st -$50, 2nd-$30, 3rd-$20, 4th-$10
- Fishing goes from sun-up until 3:00pm
- Heated tent, beer, food, raffles and the famous chicken wheel!
Each derby entry ticket enters you into our door prize drawings (must be present to win)! Derby tickets will be available the day of the event at Emma's (Midway) Bait and Tackle, Schafers River Rentals and Bait Shop and at the Derby site. All proceeds go to support conservation projects in the lower Black River area of southwestern Wisconsin
Lake Onalaska Dredging Project
Even casual observers notice that Lake Onalaska is rapidly filling in due to sedimentation inputs from far-distant watersheds, plainly visible in the rapidly expanding beds of wild rice. Additionally, sedimentation reduces the critical amount of deepwater habitat needed by overwintering fish. While we hope that long-term efforts to reduce soil erosion in distant watersheds will eventually help, short-term remediation like this dredging project will prolong our valued fish resources and provide watercraft access to other areas of Lake Onalaska and the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
This dredging project will:
- Create a nearshore fish overwintering area to augment Lake Onalaska's diminishing overwintering fish habitat
- Restore a nearshore summer and winter fishery, easily accessible from shore and nearby Mosey boat landing
- Create an alongshore boat channel:
- with water deep enough for watercraft to navigate
- free of summertime surface vegetation mats, providing oxygenated water and edge habitat to support fish and other aquatic life
- Create an affordably maintainable nearshore sediment trap, capturing longshore-drift sediment which will reduce shallowing of Lake Onalaska offshore areas and prolong overwintering habitat project life
While long-term habitat planning is also underway, the timeline to obtain federal funds for large habitat projects is measured in decades, proceeding through a cumbersome process. This citizen-funded project will demonstrate that immediate results are possible for smaller habitat projects. Initial permitting approval has already been obtained from natural resource agencies.
Please help us by donating to our project on our Project GoFundMe Page.
Click Lake Onalaska map image for project details
Updates and more dredging project information.
63rd Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 4, 2023
Lake Onalaska (Registration at Mosey Landing: W7207 North Shore Lane)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Winning Fish Board from the 2023 Derby
A beautiful clear sunrise greeted the 2023 derby, with temperatures warming through the day from the prior cold spell, starting in low teens (above!) and warming to 31 degrees at the close of the derby. Winds were out of the south about 10 mph.
Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Derby headquarters was once again be the big heated tent at the upper parking lot of Mosey Landing, W7207 Northshore Lane on Brice Prairie (north shore of Lake Onalaska). Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
For fishing contest and raffle winners see: Main Derby Page
Proceeds from the derby and raffle go to support ongoing BPCA conservation projects, including:
- Wood duck houses (over 28,000 ducklings hatched since 1988)
- Bluebird houses: 2,668 nestlings fledged in 2014 from houses maintained in the area
- River and bike trail cleanups
- River island reforestation: rearing and planting oak, hackberry, and elm trees
- Fisheries habitat improvement (Lake Onalaska fish cribs, overwintering habitat)
- Emergency shelters and light beacon on Lake Onalaska
- Annual $500 conservation college scholarship
- Sponsoring local Boy Scout Troop 21
- Boat landing improvements
- Vegetation cutting in Lake Onalaska travel routes
Helping Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska Project Raffle
BPCA assisted the Lake Onalaska Protection and Rehabilitation District with a raffle project to raise funds to improve the health of and facilitate access to Lake Onalaska. Huge THANK YOU to hardworking organizer Tony Christnovich and all of those who donated to help make the Lake District summer 2022 fundraiser a success! Over $22,000 was raised to use for projects on Lake Onalaska.
Raffle winners were:
- Packer Tickets (donated by Bill Carskadon): Mike Berkeley
- Pontoon Rental from Schafers: Linda Watson
- Guided Walleye trip from Mike McCormick: Tom Ready
- 4 Kayak Rentals from Schafers: Tom Ready
- 251 Stihl Chain Saw (donated by Angry’s Way Out): John Sheppard
- $250 Gift Card at Red Pines: Jerry Kobs
- Guided Ice Fishing from Mike McCormick: Robert Abraham
- Holmen Ace Hardware Gift Certificate for $100: Renee Overton
62nd Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 5, 2022
Lake Onalaska (Registration at Mosey Landing: W7207 North Shore Lane)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
2021 A big northern from 2021
(Click to Enlarge)
Derby headquarters will once again be the big heated tent at the upper parking lot of Mosey Landing, W7207 Northshore Lane on Brice Prairie (north shore of Lake Onalaska).
Fishing begins at sunrise and derby contest entries must be submitted by 3 pm sharp. Fishing tickets to enter the derby ($5 per angler), are available at:
Four cash prizes will be awarded for the largest fish caught and entered in the five species categories (northern pike, bass, crappie, perch, bluegill) of fish: First prize is $50, second $30, third $20, and fourth $10.
Raffle tickets with a first prize of $1000 and nine other valuable prizes are available from BPCA members, Schafers River Rentals, and Emma's Bait Shop. Only 1400 raffle tickets will be sold at $10 each.
Proceeds from the derby and raffle go to support ongoing BPCA conservation projects, including:
- Wood duck houses (over 28,000 ducklings hatched since 1988)
- Bluebird houses: 2,668 nestlings fledged in 2014 from houses maintained in the area
- River and bike trail cleanups
- River island reforestation: rearing and planting oak, hackberry, and elm trees
- Fisheries habitat improvement (Lake Onalaska fish cribs, overwintering habitat)
- Emergency shelters and light beacon on Lake Onalaska
- Annual $500 conservation college scholarship
- Sponsoring local Boy Scout Troop 21
- Boat landing improvements
- Vegetation cutting in Lake Onalaska travel routes
61st Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 6, 2021
Lake Onalaska (Registration at Mosey Landing: W7207 North Shore Lane)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
2021 Winning fish board from the 2021 derby
(Click to Enlarge)
More derby photos on the 2021 Derby Photo Page
The tradition of the Brice Prairie Conservation Association fishing derby continued in 2021. The format of the event was modified because of the Covid-19 epidemic. There was no Derby tent this year. (Official Derby Poster)
Fishing began at sunrise and ended at 3 pm.
Protecting Overwintering Fish Habitat in Blackdeer Channel
Recent high water dramatically increased the flow through Blackdeer channel to 10 to 20 times the optimal level for overwintering panfish. This area is an important overwintering area and fishery. The increased flow would also create unsafe ice conditions. The BPCA, Wisconsin DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to place brush bundles in the recently-widened breach in the barrier island to reduce the width and flow the opening. For details on this project see BPCA Fish Habitat Projects
60th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 1, 2020
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Above Schafer's Bait Shop, W7221 North Shore Lane
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2020 Derby
(Empty hooks with tags represent fish that were released or retained by fisher)
(Click to Enlarge)
2 bass. Really? Perhaps the high and wildly fluctuating water levels that have plagued fishing all winter had something to with it - Mississippi River discharge at Dresbach on Derby Day was 54,000 cfs, down from 64,000 only 2 days earlier. Otherwise it was a pleasant derby day with temperatures reaching 40 degrees, with sunny afternoon skies and winds west and northwest at 8-10 mph. Ice cover has been relatively thin and patchy all winter (warm temperatures and high-water river currents are to blame), with only a small number of trucks and cars on the ice this year. Amazingly, there were no reports of vehicles going through the ice except one shallow-water dunking for an ATV. This year the tent was moved to the Mosey Landing upper parking lot, just above Schafer's bait shop. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For winning fish and raffle winners see 2020 Derby Page
BPCA-funded Loosestrife Project Recognized
Niti Mishra, UWL faculty member and expert in using drones for remote sensing, left, works with
UW-La Crosse student researcher Zach Woodcock with drones for aerial surveys
of Purple Loosestrife.
(Click to Enlarge)
The La Crosse County Conservation Alliance is recognizing a BPCA-funded project for its annual "Conservation Project of the Year" award. UW-L faculty member Niti Mishra and student researchers Zach Woodcock and Jackson Radenz used innovative drone surveys to map the distribution of invasive purple loosestrife in 2017 and 2018. Purple loosestrife grows in habitats that are extremely challenging to assess with ground-based surveys. Maps of purple loosestrife distribution can be used to strategically place Galerucella beetles for biological control, such as is done in BPCA's Purple LooseStrife Control Project. More information on the award and project can be found in the UW-L Campus News> and a La Crosse Tribune article>
BPCA Prairie and Oak-Savanna Restoration: 2019 Burn
Flames at the head burn begin to take off.
(Click to Enlarge)
BPCA members performed a permitted, prescribed burn on the prairie and oak-savanna habitat just northwest of the clubhouse on April 9, 2019. The previous burn in 2015 brought dramatic resurgence of big bluestem, little bluestem and prairie forbs in this prairie remnant habitat that has never been plowed or disturbed. Burning allows the fire-adapted prairie species to outcompete invasive and other aggressive non-prairie species. BPCA appreciates the loan of burn torches and water backpacks from the . For more details of the 2019 burn and photos see the Prairie Restoration page.
59th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 2, 2019
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Parking Area Below Red Pines Bar and Grill, W7305 CTH Z
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2019 Derby
(Empty hooks represent fish that were released or retained by fisher)
(Click to Enlarge)
A quick thaw from the -31 polar vortex deep freeze only two days before the derby (40 degrees above on derby afternoon!) got a lot of folks out on the ice to get rid of cabin fever. It was a foggy, cloudy day with light south winds, but very pleasant out on the ice. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For winning fish and raffle winners see 2019 Derby Page
BPCA Helps Setup Webcam on Sommers Chute
Steadying guy wires after raising the pole
(Click to Enlarge)
BPCA members assisted the Raptor Resource Center in establishing a live webcam out on Sommers Chute in Lake Onalaska. Two 20-foot telephone poles were transported out to the Sommers Chute delta, base holes were excavated, poles raised, and bases filled with concrete to anchor the poles. BPCA's pole-raising expert Joe Kawatski supervised the operations. The webcam will offer great wildlife viewing of the biologically important sandbars on the Sommer's Chute delta.
58th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 3, 2018
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2018 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
A little snow didn't deter ice fishing effort for the 58th annual Brice Prairie Conservation Association Fishing Derby on Lake Onalaska. Light snow fell throughout the day, amounting to about 4 inches by sunset. Temperatures warmed to the upper 20s in the afternoon, with very light south winds, making it a pleasant day on the ice. Big northerns and bass dominated the winning fish board. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
For derby winners see the main derby page.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
Brice Prairie River Cleanup 2017
Saturday April 29, 2017
Fred Funk Landing
The Brice Prairie Conservation Association annual river cleanup will begin with check-in at the Fred Funk landing on Brice Prairie at 8am. Trash bags will be provided. Bring a boat if you have one, or just come to the landing and bring a PFD - there will be some opportunities to ride along on others boats. Wear boots and clothing appropriate to the day. This cleanup focuses on upper Pool 7 around Brice Prairie, and includes the Black River Delta area upstream to Trempealeau.
57th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 4, 2017
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2017 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
A cloudy 30 degree day with winds gusting well above 20mph at times still saw good fishing effort on Lake Onalaska. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
More details about the 2017 derby, including winners in each fishing contest category and raffle winners, are on the derby main page.All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
BPCA to Host Open House on June 8
Join us and see what the Brice Prairie Conservation Association and friends have to offer for the outdoor enthusiasts of the Coulee Region:
Wednesday June 8, 4pm to 7pm BPCA Clubhouse, intersection of County Road Z and Lytle Road Brice Prairie, WI
Families with children of all ages are encouraged to attend!
- On exhibit will be some of the projects and efforts our club has made for Brice Prairie and the surrounding area.
- The Brice Prairie First Responders and the Brice Prairie Boy Scout Troop 21 will also be there to showcase their commitment to the community.
- Enjoy food and refreshments while learning about all the wonderful projects going on in the Brice Prairie area.
Brice Prairie River Cleanup 2016
Amy Cooper displays some River Cleanup Treasure
On Earth Day (April 23) BPCA held its annual "river cleanup" for the Black River delta, northern Lake Onalaska, and adjacent Mississippi River main channel. BPCA members, Boy Scout Troop 21, Brice Prairie EMS & Rescue, and others turned out and filled a Town of Onalaska dump truck full of debris retrieved from the river bottoms and Lake Onalaska shores.
56th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 6, 2016
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2016 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
A fair 32 degree day with 10 mph south winds made for a great day out on the ice. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For 2016 derby winners and information from past years see the BPCA fishing derby page
BPCA Restoring Prairie and Oak Savanna Habitat
Fritz Funk and Marc Schultz ignite the "prescribed burn"
BPCA members have been working hard this spring to restore the small strip of land northwest of the clubhouse to prairie/bur oak savanna habitat. Trees were felled and removed and thick woody brush has been cleared. On May 4, 2015 BPCA conducted a "prescribed burn" on a small patch of the area to reduce invasive species and encourage native grass and forb species. Based on the results of the small burn, additional burns may be used in the future. A number of fire-resistant bur oak are already present on the site. Brice Prairie likely contained large areas of oak savanna habitat, maintained by natural and Native American fires. There is evidence of extensive Native American agriculture on Brice Prairie, with cleared areas almost certainly maintained by fire. Agriculture, housing, and industrial development have removed almost all of the original prairie and oak savanna habitat. While some planted prairie reconstructions are present around Brice Prairie, it is hoped that the original plant communities of this site, which may have local adaptations, can be encouraged to thrive from root stock and seed banks likely present on the site.
Brice Prairie River Cleanup 2015
Some of the 2015 cleanup crew display their "prizes"
(Click to Enlarge)
On a cool cloudy April 25 morning BPCA sponsored its annual "river cleanup" for the Black River delta, northern Lake Onalaska, and adjacent Mississippi River main channel. A good crew turned out, including members of Brice Prairie Boy Scout Troop 21 and filled a Town of Onalaska dump truck with discarded 55 gallon drums and many, many bags of miscellaneous garbage retrieved from the river bottoms and Lake Onalaska shores.
55th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 7, 2015
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2015 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
A balmy 39 degree fair day with little wind made for a great day out on the ice! It was a year for big northerns, some large bass and a whopper of a black crappie at 2.2 pounds which is not shown in the photos because the fisher rushed it straight to the taxidermist for mounting. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For derby information from past years see the BPCA fishing derby page
2,668 Bluebirds Fledged In 2014
Bluebird production was similar to 2013 (3.7 fledglings per box), despite the late spring season that delayed nesting activity and discouraged third nesting later in the year. Cold temperatures in the early spring interfered with the first nesting, resulting in poor hatch rates and nestling mortality. This delay offered competitive House Sparrows, Tree Swallows, and wrens opportunities to dominate boxes normally used by bluebirds.
We also produced 255 Tree Swallows, 161 House Wrens, and 75 Black Capped Chickadees. These cavity-nesting species readily occupy the bluebird boxes, especially if they are located on the edge of bluebird habitat.
We attribute our success for producing bluebirds to providing a box with a cavity size and shape that appeals to them, selection of ideal habitat for box location, spacing the boxes at least 200 yards, providing predator prevention for every box, moving boxes that fail to attract bluebirds after one year, and monitoring weekly to ensure the cavities are available to bluebirds that are searching for a home. Our technology for bluebird production is effective, and we feel satisfied and rewarded with the bluebird responses to our efforts and look forward to their return next spring.
A full report on 2014 blubird production as well as those of past years is available on the BPCA Bluebird Page.
54th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 1, 2014
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2014 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
Cold temperatures this winter appeared to slow down the fishing action a bit. The sun came out late in the day, raising the temperatures to a relatively balmy 20 degrees, with light winds. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie.
All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For winners lists and more information on the 2014 derby or past derby years see the BPCA fishing derby page
2,884 Bluebirds Fledged In 2013
Bluebird production decreased in 2013, primarily due to the late spring season that delayed nesting activity and discouraged third nesting later in the year. A total of 796 bluebird houses were monitored on this BPCA-sponsored project in the La Crosse area, producing 2,884 fledglings, down from the 4,679 produced in 2012. Cold temperatures in early spring interfered with first nesting that resulted in poor hatch rates and nestling mortality. This delay offered competitive House Sparrows, Tree Swallows, and wrens opportunities to dominate boxes normally used by bluebirds. Some nestling mortality was due to black fly gnat infestations. A full report on 2013 blubird production as well as those of past years is available on the BPCA Bluebird Page
53rd Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 2, 2013
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2013 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
It was back to cold derby fishing this year, with temperatures peaking at 11 degrees with light northwest winds. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie. All proceeds from the derby are reinvested in conservation projects around Brice Prairie and Lake Onalaska: Improved Boat Landings, River & Bike Trail Cleanups, Wood Duck & Bluebird Houses, Fish Cribs, Purple Loosestrife Control, Swamp White Oak Tree Planting, Emergency Shelters and more.
For winners lists and more information on the 2013 derby or past derby years see the BPCA fishing derby page
BPCA Fledges over 4,600 Bluebirds In 2012
52nd Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 4, 2012
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2012 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
Another sunny derby year, with temperatures peaking at 41 with nearly calm winds brought out big crowds to fish on Lake Onalaska. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie. Funds generated by the derby are spent on local conservation projects including: Bluebird houses, wood duck houses, oak tree plantings, river clean-ups, bike trail clean-ups, emergency shelters, fish cribs, and enhancing public access to Lake Onalaska.
For winners lists and more derby information on the 2012 derby or past derby years see the BPCA fishing derby page
BPCA Member Receives Award for Conservation Efforts
BPCA member Marc Schultz received the La Crosse Tribune's 2011 "Man of the Year" award for his many years of dedicated efforts to further conservation and civic projects. For the full story:
Army Corps Recognizes BPCA for Conservation Projects
Randy Urich presents award to vice-president Mike Langquist at Nov. meeting
(Click to Enlarge)
BPCA Fledges about 3,300 Bluebirds In 2011
51st Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Saturday February 5, 2011
Lake Onalaska (North Shore)
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2011 Derby
(Click to Enlarge)
Over Half a Century of Hardwater Tradition!!
A board full of big fish had been posted by the end of a day that saw huge crowds out fishing on Lake Onalaska. Fishing effort was likely enhanced by the comfortable mid-20's temperatures with no wind, though skies remained overcast and hazy. Derby headquarters was once again the big heated tent on the lower parking lot of Red Pines Bar and Grill on Brice Prairie. Fishing started at sunrise and ended at 3:00pm sharp. Cash prizes were offered for 1st thru 4th place for five fish species: bass, northern, bluegill, perch, and crappie. Proceeds from derby events are spent for conservation projects to improve Lake Onalaska and the Black River Bottoms.
For more information see the 2011 BPCA fishing derby page
BPCA Fledges Almost 5,000 Bluebirds In 2010
"Conservation Organization of the Year"
BPCA Receives Recognition from WWF
18th Annual Mississippi River Cleanup
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Upper Brice Prairie Landing
50th Annual BPCA Ice Fishing Derby
Feb. 6, 2010
Red Pines, North Shore, Lake Onalaska
The winning "Big Fish" Board from the 2010 Derby
(1st and 2nd place Northerns released)
(Click to Enlarge)
More information, winner lists, and photos on our: ice fishing derby page
BPCA Project Fledges over 5,000 Bluebirds in 2009
BPCA Member Honored for Bluebird Work
Mississippi River Cleanup 2009
(Click to Enlarge)
Scout troop cleanup volunteers with prizes
New BPCA Artwork on Display
Canvasback Information
(updated Dec. 15, 2010)
For more information, contact Steve Andersen, Secretary:
stevea815
gmail.com