Poor ice conditions on Wisconsin waters continue to affect winter fishing opportunities, including the cancellation of ice fishing tournaments.
Hear from a DNR expert on why sturgeon spearing relies on solid ice cover
A Wisconsin DNR video from 2012 outlines how warm winters create dangers for ice fishing. In 2023, Wisconsin had its warmest December on record.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin winter of 2023-24 isn’t over yet. But as the calendar turns to February it’s clear that the season will be remembered for at least one thing: poor ice conditions.
That was evident on Jan. 1 when the Great Lakes had just 0.4% ice cover, down from an average of 9% and the lowest documented for that date in the 50 years it’s been monitored, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
And it continued until this week. As of Wednesday, NOAA estimated Great Lakes ice cover at 6.9%, down from the long-term average for late January of 29%.
More: Outdoor calendar
Most scientists attribute this winter’s icy conditions to a combination of El Niño, a weather cycle that typically results in warmer winters in Wisconsin, and the larger, long-term issue of climate change.
For ice fishermen, conditions are especially difficult.
In late January, fishing guide Eric Haataja of West Allis typically targets brown trout and steelhead through the ice on the Milwaukee lakefront.
On Wednesday he was fishing for those species but from his boat in open water.
But most fishermen have less flexibility. Unable to drive ATVs or UTVs on Green Bay’s weak ice or fish from open water, fishing guide Bret Alexander of Ice Fish Green Bay decided to buy an air boat. For the last five days, he takes groups to offshore areas in a vessel that can travel over ice, slush or open water and is becoming more common in the Badger State.
Alexander found areas with about 10 inches of ice in southeast Green Bay.
But thousands of others don’t have that option, either.
The conditions caused organizers Tuesday to cancel the Battle on Bago, billed as the state’s largest ice fishing tourney. The event is scheduled for Feb. 16 and 17 in the Winnebago System.
“We will proactively cancel the ice fishing portion of our event because of the continued deterioration of ice condition and safety for our anglers accessing the Lake Winnebago System,” the organizers said in a Facebook post. “Unfortunately, Mother Nature has not cooperated with many winter activities for this season which can negatively impact outdoor events like ours.”
More: Wisconsin’s unseasonably warm temperatures likely mean trouble for local ice conditions, the DNR warns
While the fishing portion is off, other planned events including live music, food and raffles will still take place at Menominee Park in Oshkosh.
People who bought $40 tickets have options, including a refund or converting them to raffle tickets.
The Smoke Eaters Slam ice fishing tourney scheduled for Saturday at Geano’s Beach near Oconto has also been canceled. It still held non-fishing activities.
“I’m at my wits end with the last two winters, depression is running strong,” said the owner of North Shore Bait Company in Oconto in a Facebook post Wednesday. He plans to hold an inventory sale to help build some business. “There’s more to come, but in reality I’m taking what I can get to survive.”
And the prospects are looking especially challenging for the more than 10,000 licensed spearers hoping to participate in the 2024 sturgeon spearing season in the Winnebago System.
At least one sturgeon spearer wondered in a Facebook post on the Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing page if he could get his money back, too.
The answer is no.
But like all fishing and hunting seasons, the sturgeon spearing season will continue. Participants should exercise caution and proceed at their own risk.
“The key word this year is ‘improvise,'” said Paul Muche, 53, of Van Dyne. “I expect us to come out but it’s obviously different than most years.”
The 2024 sturgeon spearing season is scheduled to begin Feb. 10 in the Winnebago System. As of Wednesday, Lake Winnebago had some open water and at least one local club advised against any snowmobile or ATV travel on the lake.
With a warmer-than-average forecast next week, conditions likely won’t improve before the opener.
Muche said he has been to Lake Winnebago every season of his 40-plus-year sturgeon spearing career.
Last year also featured less than ideal ice conditions. He and his brother Stuart Muche of Van Dyne and their children switched to using spearing shanties on runners rather than the usual, heavier units on wheels.
They used the ATVs to pull the lighter shacks to the lakes.
This year even ATVs may be out of the question. Muche prepares for a human-powered option: pulling a sled with supplies, including a pop-up tent and a hand saw.
This is the first time he has cut with a hand saw or spear from a portable tent. Standard spearing equipment includes a gas-powered sled saw with a long bar and insulated shanties pulled by pick-up trucks.
But this winter needs an audible.
Showing the resourcefulness of the sturgeon spearing community, many of whom make their own gear, Muche was undaunted by the conditions.
He knew he had things to do – like where did he hang a spear in a tent? – but he expects to be on the ice for the season.
“Everyone should be careful, know the conditions and do everything they can to stay safe,” Muche said. “But even if we have to walk out, we will spearhead again this year.”
Last year, the Department of Natural Resources reported 3,100 walleye on Lake Winnebago for the opening day of the spearing season, down from 6,000 in 2022.
The harder ice of 2024 will undoubtedly result in fewer structures – tents or otherwise – in place this year.
