OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Warmer temperatures are expected this week and that could mean dangerous conditions on the lakes for sturgeon spearers.
Don Herman, owner of Sunk? Dive and Ice service in Oshkosh, says ice conditions currently are good but things could change.
“Next weekend when we get to the 50’s, yeah, we’re going to have some issues on the lake. I’m sure most of the fishing clubs will decide to pull their vehicle bridge in,” Herman said.
But for now, Herman says the ice is still 18-20 inches thick on Lake Winnebago and the upriver lakes.
“You just have to stay safe out there. I tell everybody the lake is never 100 percent safe. There’s always a trouble spot.”
Herman says they had to rescue 3 vehicles off the ice over the weekend but says it something that happens every year.
“Just the normal ones, by the mouth of the river and by Oshkosh and Neenah…that’s where the vehicles have been falling in because they’re getting too close. Normally in a good year you can get a little closer to the river but now the warm temperatures, the ice deteriorates there first,” said Herman.
As of Monday, Herman says there are around 7,000 shanties and just as many cars on the ice.
