LAKE WINNEBAGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It is two days away from the opening of the sturgeon spearing season.
Typically, hundreds would be out on the ice of the Lake Winnebago System, cutting holes, and setting up their shanties.
But 2024 is anything but typical.
People were out using chainsaws, but they were checking conditions on the surface.
It only takes a few chops with the chisel for Jacob Schwefel to punch through this section of ice off the Lake Winnebago shoreline.
“It’s 13 inches thick. But there’s only 3 1/2 of good, or I wouldn’t even say good ice. But it’s ice. Then there’s 5 1/2 of the crap, And then like 4 inches of the ice on the bottom again,” said Mark Ecker, Quinney Fishing Club Plow Committee President.
Mark Ecker says UTVs and other vehicles typically take to the frozen surface of Lake Winnebago to cut holes ahead of Saturday’s opener. But Thursday morning, the Quinney shoreline was quiet.
“I have never seen a year, and I never, ever heard of anybody seeing a year like this. There’s been years in the past, where we go with four-wheelers, and stuff right away, and then maybe drive trucks out at the end. This might be a different year,” he said.
Just to the south, in Fond du Lac County, Jim and Linda’s Lakeview Supper Club is a popular place, for those looking to go on and off that part of Lake Winnebago.
“They can see that it’s broke off. And you’re going to be in the water to try to get out here. And I don’t recommend going down the channel. So here’s what you got. And there’s nothing to put a bridge across here. And we don’t want nothing out there, because we don’t want people going out,” said John Jenkins, Pipe Fishing Club Vice President.
John Jenkins says ice in the area is soft, slushy, and melting from the top and bottom.
“It’s scary. It’s scary out there, and a lot of guys are just writing it off,” he said.
Jenkins says he’s never seen conditions as bad.
“Never. This will be 50th year of spearing. And this is the first time I’m not going to be out on opening day,” he said.
The sturgeon spearing season opens on Saturday, and is expected to run the full 16 days.
Comments