LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ) – A local expert says ice conditions on Lake Winnebago are looking good as the start of the 16-day sturgeon spearing season nears.
Sunk? Dive and Ice Service’s Don Herman says there’s “a lot of good ice out there. There’s about 22-23 inches on most of Lake Winnebago.”
And he doesn’t expect that to change during the two-plus week stretch.
“Unless we got some drastic weather, up in the 50’s and sun and rain, I think we’re going to have some pretty good ice for all of the season.”
Herman advises spearers to check his company’s Facebook page, if they want to stay current on everything happening on the lake.
“We put a map out Saturday marking the cracks, the thin ice, and where most fishing clubs have their bridges. It’s not 100% accurate, but it’s pretty close, because the cracks do move around a little bit.”
Herman reminds that no ice is ever 100% safe, noting it’s been a busy winter for them, citing a lack of snow.
“We plow roads. We can put the roads in where they want them to be. We didn’t have any snow so people could drive everywhere. They were driving, they would see a crack, and you’d try to stop on ice. You can’t stop, so you’d drive right into it.”
The season kicks off at 7 am Saturday.
