A sign at Stockbridge Harbor Feb. 9, 2023, advises travelers of the risk of traveling on the ice of Lake Winnebago as mild weather has impacted ice conditions. PC: Fox 11 Online
LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Just two days before sturgeon spearing season, fishing clubs along Lake Winnebago are advising travelers to use ATVs and UTVs only as warm weather weakens the ice.
Many fishing clubs along the lake have held back on putting out bridges that cross cracks in the ice, as conditions remain dicey. Northeast Wisconsin has seen five consecutive days with above-average temperatures, and meteorologists are forecasting several more days of mild weather.
Experts say no ice is ever 100% safe.
Thursday was the first day spearers could begin cutting their holes.
It’s a relatively quiet morning on the eastern shoreline of Lake Winnebago. Scott Broehm says he and his group typically cut sturgeon holes in the ice ahead of Saturday’s opener, but not in 2023.
“I’ve been spearing for 47 years. I’ve never seen a year, where people were worried about getting out there for hole cutting Thursday and Friday before the season,” said Scott Broehm, Stockbridge Harbor Fishing Club Member.
Broehm says ice thickness in the area varies from 14-16 inches, but numerous cracks in the ice make it dangerous to drive on the frozen surface.
“We had some slabs that were moving by the cracks. And that’s one of the reasons why we’re not recommending vehicle travel, as far as larger vehicles,” he said.
Broehm says the landing sees a lot of traffic, and will start to deteriorate quickly. He says people should drive UTVs and ATVs and leave the full-sized vehicles on land.
“We just want everybody to be safe. That’s why all of the clubs around the lake are here. We’re here to help. And if you don’t know, ask before you go out,” he said.
One of those groups is The Quinney Fishing Club, which maintains landings a few miles south. Club leaders say it’s been slow there, and some spearers brought their shanites onto the ice last weekend.
“There wasn’t many the last couple days that came down. Right now, there should be a trail of them going out, but that’s obviously not the scene,” said Mark Ecker, Quinney Fishing Club Plow Committee President.
Ecker says those heading onto the ice should also drive UTVs and ATVs, and use extreme caution.
“People got to start slowing down. That’s our biggest factor. We don’t have enough ice to be driving 60-70 miles an hour out here. And then, when they use the bridges, they got to take it slow over them. Less than 5 miles per hour and one vehicle at a time,” he said.
Many spearers say they will be watching the forecast closely, and hoping for colder weather ahead.
Sturgeon spearing begins Saturday on Lake Winnebago as well as lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts.
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