Hibernating Is for Bears, Bats, and Bumblebees

You probably know people who hide out all winter complaining about the weather and pining for summer.  If they only knew what you’re about to discover, they would not only tolerate, but maybe, just maybe, they might like winter as much, if not more than summer. 

And why not? There are always plenty of things to do in and around Rome, Wisconsin when the temperature drops, and the snow starts flying. 

Here are just a few ideas. Be sure to share with your home-bound friends. 

How about Ice Fishing? Many of us have dropped a line in the water from a pier or the side of a boat on a sunny summer day in August, but have you ever tried it in February? You might consider yourself an avid fisher but sitting on a turned-over five-gallon bucket on 20 inches of frozen water is a whole new experience. 

When the fish are biting, and you see the flag “tip up,” the elements somehow don’t matter, and winter, at least for the moment, feels like summer. 

And here’s the good news, if you’re angling for Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, or Walleye, the Rome area has some of the best ice fishing lakes in central Wisconsin. The most popular  is Lake Arrowhead, a 295-acre lake at about 30 feet deep. 

Then there’s Lake Sherwood and Lake Camelot, both slightly smaller and not quite as deep, but they too are ready when you are to drill your holes and drop your lines.

The largest lake in the area, by far, is Lake Petenwell. In fact, it’s the second largest lake in Wisconsin with a whopping 23,000 acres of winter fun. In addition to the usual suspects, Petenwell also offers up Catfish, Musky, and Sturgeon.

Fishing’s not your thing? That’s OK. Savor the silence as you cross-country ski or snowshoe on Lake Arrowhead’s Cross Country Skiing Trail or the brand-new trails awaiting you at the Tri-Norse Ski ClubSand Valley offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking.

Need a little more excitement? Hop on your snowmobile and slice your way through 230 miles of state-funded and groomed trails twisting through the forests and farms of central Wisconsin.

Still can’t convince you to get up off the couch? Not that “outdoorsy?” Don’t worry. Rome has something for “indoorsy” folk too.

Be sure to visit Bison Trading Co. – a one-of-a-kind boutique featuring hand-crafted gifts and home décor where every item is more beautiful than the next. Check out their live edge coffee tables, shelves, picture frames, and so much more. Whatever you fancy, you’ll know that it was inspired by nature and made with love for someone just like you.

Feeling hungry? Ask a “local” where they go for a cheerful, casual, family-friendly bar and grill, and you’ll undoubtedly be directed to Hoozels. Centrally located among all the winter fun, Hoozels has a full bar, craft beers, and a Bloody Mary that consistently ranks among the top-five best in Wisconsin. Complement your drink with a Hoozel Burger - a 1/3-pound beef burger on a garlic buttered pretzel bun. Or try the more exotic Beast Burger – a 1/2-pound blend of wild boar, elk, bison, and Wagyu cooked to perfection.

That’s just a small sampling of things you can do in beautiful, snowy white, wintery Rome, Wisconsin. So much more awaits you if you just get up off the couch, turn off Netflix, and leave the hibernating to the bears, bats, and bumblebees.


Written by: Lydell Capritta

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Town of Rome : Bird City