GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The recent cold snap in Northeast Wisconsin has brought ice fishing season earlier than expected, with smaller bodies of water beginning to freeze along the shores.
However, experts are urging caution as the ice is not yet fully formed.
According to Scott Allen, owner of Allen’s Guide Service, “This year we finally have some cold water weather. The smaller lakes already have a coating of ice on them. The bigger bodies of water are cooling down quick, so this is the earliest we’ve seen cold weather in the last three years.”
Despite the excitement for the beginning of the season, Lieutenant Ryan Propson with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources warned that ice thickness can vary greatly.
“You’re getting a lot of warmth from ground that’s still coming out. Ice might be four inches here and an inch here,” he said.
Jeff Tilkens, owner of Smokey’s On the Bay bait shop, also emphasized the importance of caution.
“They’re eager to get on and that’s the worst thing you can do, because if you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know the body of water, it could be really dangerous.”
Byron Faulkner, a visitor from Great Falls, Montana, shared his experience. “People will go out on two or three inches of ice. Like, I’m a big guy, I’m not going to go out on three inches of ice. I’d wait until there’s like six or eight inches of ice,” he said.
Allen offered some safety tips. “You always want to take your ice chisel and go in front of you and chisel every step of the way.”
Kozlowski added, “Make sure you know that you have people with you. You’re not going out there alone.”
For those venturing out, Allen recommended carrying ice picks. “My recommendation, you should always have a pair of spikes on you. If you do fall through, you can pull yourself back on the ice with these,” he said.
In case of an emergency, Propson advised using a throw rope to help someone who has fallen through the ice. “If you do have to go out, lay yourself out on the ground. You’re going to disperse your weight out more,” he said.
Authorities remind everyone that no ice is 100% safe and to prioritize safety over eagerness to fish.
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