Maiden Lake Boat Landing pier in Oconto County, April 30, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With the opening of the 2024 inland sport fishing season quickly approaching, many are getting ready for Saturday.
But the recent relatively mild winter season is still fresh in the minds of many.
Most of the ice left Shawano Lake on February 28, officials say it’s a first for many places. Justine Hasz, is the DNR Fisheries Management Program Bureau Director.
“We saw ice go off at the earliest we have ever seen on northern Wisconsin lakes, followed by about a week later, the ice gong back on to many of those lakes. And then coming off on a more normal time frame two-three weeks ago,” said Justine Hasz, DNR Fisheries Management Program Bureau Director.
It was a similar story in northern Oconto County, where thin ice made conditions on many lakes unsafe.
“The winter struggled a lot. The winter was terrible. It was probably one of the worst seasons we have had, since we started,” said Derek Soletske, Mighty Fine Sport Shop & Fireworks Part-Owner.
In Lakewood, Derek Soletske says the weather impacted many businesses around the region. He says hopes are high, heading into the inland lakes sport fishing opener.
“We’re expecting it to be a great weekend. I’ve got a couple people coming in to give me a hand, because I think we’re going to be slammed. With the slow winter, I think spring is going to get really started in a great way,” said Soletske.
Soletske says area lakes are getting warmer, but it’s happening about a week behind schedule. He says fish will soon move into the shallows.
“They’re going to be recovering pretty quick here. But it’s going to be this week too. I’m hearing water temperatures between 46 and 56 degrees. So, in one day, there’s quite a big span in temperature there,” said Soletske.
Justine Hasz says there is an impact on the fish.
“We’ve definitely seen some erratic weather, and the fish really do react a lot to that. But now, we’re sitting here, in late April, and we’re getting back into what normally spring looks like, as sort of warm, cooler temperatures and the fish are really starting to get back on track,” she said.
The season kicks off early Saturday morning.
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