ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Friday afternoon, the Daily Press kicked off its fifth annual U.P. Ice Fishing & Hunting Expo at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
The expo aims to offer something for everybody. Vendors have filled the Ruth Butler Building with hunting equipment, fishing lures and augers, and other outdoor gear.
Many are offering wearable products for those heading outdoors. Some, like those sold by Humboldt Fur, are more traditional.
“My main focus is keeping the guys warm that are ice fishing or trapping or snowmobiling or dog mushing,” said owner Bob Smith. “I’ve got headbands, ear muffs, can koozies, hats, and mittens.”
Other vendors, including Norfin USA, offer more high-tech apparel.
“We have lightweight boots with built-in, flip-out cleats so you are safe on ice,” said general manager Maris Rubins. “There is no cleats on the hunting boot, but you can upgrade to a heated boot liner. Once you get to your deer stand, plug in the heat and enjoy the warmth. During ice fishing, it comes really handy because the heated insole will separate you from the ice.”
For Macula Tackle, a vendor based in Minnesota, the expo is an opportunity to share new products. This weekend, founder Corey Bechtold is highlighting the hangman jig.
“If you do a loop knot, this jig will balance out at horizontal so you don’t have to adjust the knot angle, but you don’t have to use a loop knot with it,” he explained. “Then, there’s more function with it. If you tie a regular knot, now you have three angles to present your jig—a downward 45-degree angle, a true horizontal, or if you slide your knot all the way back, that hook would actually angle up.”
Bechtold says selling at the expo has led to many a returning customer.
“We always call them the ‘try buys’—the people that maybe get one pack and then they see how easy it is to tie on,” he said. “Then they’ll lose them on pike or big fish or something, and now they’re out. People are like, ‘Man, I wish I would’ve had more of them Macula jigs, so they’re coming back to the show to get more.”
The expo is also a chance for vendors to reach new clients, network, and experience the Upper Peninsula’s rich ice fishing and hunting culture.
“It’s just so remote as well from our shows where we usually are, so it’s fun for us to have a little travel, go and talk to a different crowd of people, different fishing as well, and make new friends,” Rubins said.
The U.P. Ice Fishing & Hunting Expo continues on Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The only cost to attend is a donation to the Delta Animal Shelter or local food pantries. The Daily Press is also hosting a craft show a couple of buildings down from Ruth Butler.
WZMQ 19 News is a proud sponsor of the 2026 U.P. Ice Fishing & Hunting Expo. Click here to learn about some of the other vendors.
