WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With the bitter cold sticking around, ice fishing has started in some areas of Northeast Wisconsin. But with warmer temperatures on the way, there are some concerns.
Handfuls of ice shanties filled with fishermen were sitting on top of Little Lake Butte Des Morts the day after Christmas.
“I like to get out here and ice fish as much as I can,” said Kyle Kehl, an angler from Appleton.
Kehl is one of the fishermen taking advantage of the blue skies.
“I got my heater and my shack,” said Kehl. “It’s like sitting at home — you’ve got your own hole, you can fish as much as you want. It’s pretty cool. I really, really do enjoy it.”
With warm weather being predicted later this week, Kehl says he has no worries.
“I measured today,” Kehl said. “We’ve probably got eight, nine inches already. With us having as much ice as we do, it’ll be perfectly fine.”
“The last time I was out here, that was all open water and it was about two to three inches of ice,” said fisherman Alex Dvoark.
Dvorak was seen out on the lake Monday, with The Fallen Outdoors non-profit — an organization that puts on outdoor adventures for veterans.
“When we took our group photo, the ice was actually bending a little bit, and water was shooting out of the holes,” said Dvoark.
He says the ice conditions are good now, but later this week concerns him.
“I think the rain, sunlight and the heat are going to probably make the ice a little soft,” said Dvorak. “But then if we get another cold snap, it’ll just kind of be layers of good ice, bad ice, good ice type thing.”
“If it gets up into the 40s for two or three days, it just melts off all of this excess snow and makes it easier to walk,” said Charles Hart, an angler on Little Lake Butte Des Morts,
Hart was originally born in South Carolina but moved to Northeast Wisconsin 11 years ago.
“A few days after that, once it gets back down to freezing — at it again, man, at it again,” said Hart.
For now, he says he’ll keep one eye on the ice and the other on the fish.
“It’s a great way to kill time. It’s relaxing,” said Hart. ” A bad day ice fishing is always better than a good day at work.”
The Wisconsin DNR warns no ice is 100% safe. The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice and urges anglers to practice safety during winter fishing activities while on the ice. Ice strength cannot be determined by appearance, age, thickness or temperature, especially when the ice is snow-covered.
The DNR recommends following these safety tips when ice fishing:
- Dress in warm, water-resistant layers and pack an extra hat and gloves.
- Contact local bait shops, fishing clubs or resorts to ask about local ice conditions.
- Stay safely on shore if ice conditions are questionable and if open water is within casting distance.
- Use sturdy waterproof boots with spike-style creepers for traction.
- Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case and rope.
- Wear a life jacket or a float coat to help stay afloat and slow body heat loss.
- Make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.
- Don’t travel in areas you are not familiar with and don’t travel at night or during reduced visibility.
- Avoid inlets, outlets or narrows with currents that can thin the ice.
- Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it.
- Watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.
