written and contributed by: Bill Fonferek

When the call went out that the suckers were running, all the locals would gather at Bagley Rapids to catch the green carp (suckers) in their spring migration.  This would occur when the ice would melt off Chute Pond, signaling the time to start checking the rapids.  Bagley Rapids is located on the north branch of the Oconto River upstream of Chute Pond and south of the Town of Mountain.  It is located on property that once was owned by the Thompson family. A rustic log cabin overlooked the rapids and was very beautiful to just sit there and listen to the falling water.  A small wooden bridge was located above the rapids allowing access to the opposite bank of the river.  The bridge is no longer there because it was washed out by an ice flow that happened one year.  Now, in order to gain access to the opposite bank, you either had to wade across the rushing water or travel up the railroad tracks.  One time I tried to wade across the bridge area and I stumbled and my waders caught some water and started to fill up.  Luckily I was able to stand up and finish walking across the river.  From then on I decided to go up the railroad tracks because otherwise it was a dangerous undertaking to wade across the river.

Once the migration started, the locals would gather along the banks to get a chance to catch some fish.  The Thompson family allowed the locals to access their property once a year since it was a tradition.  It was an unusual sight as the method they used to catch the fish was by hand.  This is one of the few places in the state that the DNR allowed this method of capture.  Most locals wore fishing waders to stand in the ice cold water.  They would put their hands in the water and feel around the rocks to find a fish.  Once the fish was located they would feel the fish and move their hands to the gills and then grab the fish and throw it out on shore.  This would occur time and again until your hands were so numb from the cold water that you could no longer grab the suckers.  There were some premium spots to stand in along the rapids and once you moved someone was there to take your place.  This would take place day and night. At night there would be numerous bonfires to help take away the coldness from your limbs.  It was like a party atmosphere and sometimes with a little help from some liquid refreshments the night would be quite fun.  You would go home smelling like smoke and fish.

When the burlap sacks were filled with fish they would go home.  The fish were edible but had many small bones.  So most folks would either pickle them or grind them up to make fish patties.  That would make the fish edible.  But it was mainly the fish stories and the comradery that was the most important part of the experience.  It was a rite of spring.