LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Experts say Lake Winnebago started to form ice after Thanksgiving, but it’s been slow going since then.
“We’re a little late, but we’re making ice. Cold weather finally came. Ice conditions aren’t the best on the other side of the lake, but they’re pretty good on the east side,” said Jacob Schwefel, Quinney Fishing Club member.
Rattling behind an old red pick up truck, steel supports capable of carrying vehicles over cracks in the ice are on the move.
“We stage the bridges, just to get them on the lake, so we don’t have to pull them down the road when the busy season comes,” said Schwefel.
Schwefel tells FOX 11 Tuesday’s cold weather makes it difficult to work, but a check of ice thickness reveals some progress.
“We drilled one this morning. Only one hole. It was 13.5 inches. Yesterday, it was 11.5 right next to it. So, we’re making ice.”
Fishing clubs around Lake Winnebago have an understanding. The ice needs to be at least a foot thick before tree lines and truck bridges are installed. Quinney’s plow committee president says newly-painted bridges compliment the club’s inventory.
“We have two 75-foot bridges, two 60-footers and then two 30-footers, and there was three sets of ATV bridges,” said Mark Ecker, Quinney Fishing Club Plow Committee President.
Ecker says drivers need to take it slow.
“Take your time. There’s one crack that’s shut right now, but it can change by the weather. Don’t be driving like 40 to 50 miles an hour. There’s no need for that. And we suggest you take your seat belts off before you enter the ice, in case you would happen to go down.”
Ecker says the bridges and tree line could be installed Thursday or Friday.
“Everybody wants to get out and start scouting for sturgeon spearing. So, the sooner you get them out, the better off we’re going to be.”
Sturgeon spearing season begins Feb. 11.
Schwefel says the cold also brings confidence.
“We’ll have plenty of ice. We’ll be fishing, driving trucks out there. We’ll be good.”
Experts remind everyone no ice is ever considered to be 100% safe.
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