CECIL, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As the fourth week of December approaches some area waterways are freezing over. That includes the 6,200-acre Shawano Lake in Shawano County.
Shawano Lake stretches seven miles long, and about three and a half miles wide. Experts say the big body of water typically starts to freeze in early December, And as Christmas approaches, many fishermen are venturing out on the ice.
“The lake, as far as my knowledge goes, is frozen over, and it’s running about eight inches. And I get a report on the south side, one foot. Cecil Bay is about 10 inches,” said Stan Vertz, Hacker Bait and Tackle Shop.
Vertz tells FOX 11 he gets updates daily from around the lake. He says he’s watching a soft spot on the north shore.
“From Graves Road between Washington Lake and the county park, there’s an area there, out from Whispering Pines, there’s some slush under the ice.”
On Thursday morning, some fishermen set out from Shawano Lake County Park.
“I got my shack out. Where my shack is, there are seven inches of ice and the one spot I come through on Tuesday, there were four inches. So far, it’s been good out there,” said Gary Naparalla, Pulaski.
A few miles to the east, dozens of fishermen dotted the frozen landscape of Cecil Bay. David Engel says there are about 10 inches of ice where he’s at
“There are other people involved if you fall in. There are other people that have to risk their lives to come and get you. So stick where the other people are. Chances are people that group together, they know the ice thickness. They’ve been out here before. They know all around the lake, so just be smart about it.”
Engel just wishes the fishing was better.
“As it warms up, as we get later in the season, there will be more fish.”
Experts say ice is never considered 100 percent safe. It’s always a good idea to check with area bait shops before heading out onto the ice.
