Over 50 kids get out on the ice on Bughs Lake

Isolde Wall, 12, got some fishing pointers and help from her brother-in-law John.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Gracie McAuliffe, 6, is all set to catch pan fish on Bughs Lake.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Ola Towns was proud of her catch.

Photo submitted by Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott

Dawson Vandehoek, 6, Redgranite, was all setup to catch some fish.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

This year’s Kids Fisheree was made possible by chairmen Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott and Toni Mantei, owner of WI Backyard Sheds.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Beckett Vroman, 11 and Nevaeh Lehman, 10, both of Wautoma, enjoyed getting setup.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Redgranite AMVETS took time for a photo with organizers at the Kids Fisheree on Bughs Lake. The photo includes: Chief Paul Mott, Officer Justin Jackson; AMVETS - Todd Hughes, Bob Rhode, Gary Vander-Perren; Toni Mantei, WI Backyard Sheds; AMVETS - Charles Vander-Perren, and Manny Rodriguez. The Redgranite AMVETS were on hand to start the day giving American flags to the kids and singing the National Anthem along with serving food, and much more. (Not pictured Wautoma Police Officers Haley Lewandowski and David Madden.)

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Marcell Stands, 7, Wautoma, gets a lesson on how to operate a jig pole and how to bait it from Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Eli Lysaght, 3, flies his American Flag high as he heads out onto Bughs Lake for the Kids Fisheree.

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Ryder Kintigh - Winner of the youngest age group.

Photo submitted by Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott

Brooklyn Michalski won her age group and caught the most of the day with 52 fish.

Photo submitted by Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott

Beckett Vroman won a trophy in the older kids category.

Photo submitted by Wautoma Police Chief Paul Mott

Photos by Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Posted Wednesday, March 4, 2026 3:40 pm

By Mary Kunasch, Argus Correspondent

Over 50 kids fished in the Kids Fisheree held on Bughs Lake, Wautoma, on Feb. 28. The event was sponsored by Chief Paul Mott and the Wautoma Police Department, along with Toni Mantei from WI Backyard Sheds. The event was a success thanks to the help of the volunteers, including the Redgranite AMVETS and the Hardwater Hornets, as well as many who donated prizes. Each kid received a fishing pole donated by the Wautoma Police Dept. and bait donated by Smiley’s Bait and Feed. Additional fishing poles were donated by What the Snark of Wild Rose. All participants received a prize at the end of the fisheree. Trophies were awarded for those catching the largest fish in several categories.