OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Even though it was a bit colder on Tuesday, experts say it will continue to be a challenge to make ice on some waterways around the Fox Valley.
That includes Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh.
“We’re sitting here by Lake Winnebago. We can see there’s a little skim ice in the bay, but the lake is still wide open. All your bodies of water are basically wide open yet,” said Chad Burns of Burnsies’ Guide Service.
With temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, Burns says the ice fishing season in the Oshkosh area is about a month behind a typical year.
“This is the most extreme conditions I’ve ever seen, as far as a lack of ice,” he said.
Just to the north, at Asylum Bay, Don Knoblauch of Oshkosh is watching the situation on that section of Lake Winnebago.
“It’s just seeing the wind movement. The ice that is on it. How it’s floating, and just moving around. I usually go check the boat landings quite a bit at a lot of places. In the bays, there’s ice in there. You won’t be able to launch a boat.”
Knoblauch says he’s knows the sturgeon spearing season is only about six weeks away. He’s says he’s cautiously optimistic.
“I think we’re going to get a cold snap. That’s going to come, and we’ll have some decent ice for sure.”
Burns says calm winds and temperatures in the 20s will help Lake Winnebago make ice.
“I think we’re eventually going to have some ice out here. But there’s a lot of things that are coming up. A lot of big events that have a big impact on the economy here in Oshkosh, and the Valley. Sturgeon Spearing. Battle on Bago. All the big events that are coming up in the next six weeks.”
Until them, Burns says time is ticking.
“Ice changes every day. No matter what the season we have. And this year, it’s going to be a short window no matter what. At this point, we’re just running out of time.”
Experts say ice is never considered to be 100% safe. They say you should tell others where you plan to be and bring a charged cell phone with you before heading out.
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