Life In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Every February, Fond du Lac hosts Sturgeon Spectacular, the three-day winter festival attracts 10k-15k participants to kick off the opening of Wisconsin's 16-day sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago. Photo: Travel Wisconsin

Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the contiguous United States - 33,000 acres of wetland, half an hour west of Fond du Lac, often called the "Everglades of the North" and designated a Wetland of International Importance by the United Nations. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here, including thousands of sandhill cranes during the September and October migration, the largest great blue heron rookery in Wisconsin, white pelicans, and most every duck native to the state. The federal Horicon National Wildlife Refuge runs the north 22,000 acres; the Wisconsin DNR runs the southern 11,000. Between them: a visitor center with an Explorium, boat tours from Blue Heron Landing, fifteen miles of trails, a 1,400-foot boardwalk, and a 50-mile auto route. Photo: Dodge County Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s largest inland lake covers more than 130,000 acres, averages just 15 feet deep and holds one of North America’s largest self-sustaining lake sturgeon populations. There’s not really a “lake season” in Fond du Lac; activities just change gears with the temperature. In summer, it’s sailboats, windsurfers, walleye fishing and Mercury Marine test runs. In winter, it’s iceboats, shanties and sturgeon spearing. Photo: Destination Lake Winnebago

The 40-foot Lighthouse in Lakeside Park has been the city's signature attraction since 1933 - privately funded by local donors and constructed by out-of-work local laborers. It's the most photographed structure in town and appears on the official city seal. The observation deck is free, open May through mid-October. Photo: Travel Wisconsin

Fond du Lac's Lakeside Park covers 400 acres of public lakefront, with a marina, lighthouse, playgrounds, old-school park rides and enough room for festivals, fireworks and holiday lights. It’s practical, nostalgic and very well-used. Photo: Travel Wisconsin