Ice conditions improve some
A cold weather snap over the weekend didn't help road conditions any, but it was a welcome sight for anxious ice fishermen waiting for better ice formation on area lakes and rivers.
There were still some open stretches of water on the Wolf River as of Tuesday, however improving ice conditions in some areas attracted a few fishermen who reported catching walleye. River fishermen should still be advised to use the buddy system and extreme caution as they check every location thoroughly before venturing out on the main river.
Anglers on the back waters reported improving ice conditions through Monday. A few fishermen on the Manawa Pond reported the first pick-up truck on the ice over the weekend.
Locations like the Manawa Pond, Bear Lake and Old River have experienced increased fishing pressure this season due to the fact there are five area lakes that are either currently drained or have been drained in recent past.
Oxbow and Big Eddie parking issue
Anglers fishing the Oxbow just West of New London are catching a nice mixed bag of northern pike, crappie, bluegill and perch. Many fishermen are parking in Northport and walking the shoulder of STH 54 to get to the spot, since the river was not safe to cross and no parking signs are being enforced on the south side of STH 54, where generations of fishermen parked for many years.
Some fishermen are circulating a petition to restore access to the Oxbow and Big Eddie. It was noted that pedestrian traffic on the shoulder of the highway is more dangerous than parking a vehicle.
The petition calls for one of three solutions: One--Restore parking in STH 54 as it had been for many years without incident. Two--Restore parking on STH 54 with no parking enforced only during snow events, or Three-Create a parking area within reasonable distance to both fishing locations. Many fishermen expressed that they would contribute to the later cause, however they have seen no correspondence or leadership in this area from responsible government officials. The situation could even become more heightened next season if they decide to drain the Manawa Pond and Clintonville.
Petitions are available at Cash's Little Shoppe of Bait, and several area convenience stores. "If your County Board was so interested in promoting local tourism, then moving forward they should take a good hard look at the timelines of these lakes being drained, and consider keeping public access to existing fishing holes," said one angler from Kaukauna.
There were still some open stretches of water on the Wolf River as of Tuesday, however improving ice conditions in some areas attracted a few fishermen who reported catching walleye. River fishermen should still be advised to use the buddy system and extreme caution as they check every location thoroughly before venturing out on the main river.
Anglers on the back waters reported improving ice conditions through Monday. A few fishermen on the Manawa Pond reported the first pick-up truck on the ice over the weekend.
Locations like the Manawa Pond, Bear Lake and Old River have experienced increased fishing pressure this season due to the fact there are five area lakes that are either currently drained or have been drained in recent past.
Oxbow and Big Eddie parking issue
Anglers fishing the Oxbow just West of New London are catching a nice mixed bag of northern pike, crappie, bluegill and perch. Many fishermen are parking in Northport and walking the shoulder of STH 54 to get to the spot, since the river was not safe to cross and no parking signs are being enforced on the south side of STH 54, where generations of fishermen parked for many years.
Some fishermen are circulating a petition to restore access to the Oxbow and Big Eddie. It was noted that pedestrian traffic on the shoulder of the highway is more dangerous than parking a vehicle.
The petition calls for one of three solutions: One--Restore parking in STH 54 as it had been for many years without incident. Two--Restore parking on STH 54 with no parking enforced only during snow events, or Three-Create a parking area within reasonable distance to both fishing locations. Many fishermen expressed that they would contribute to the later cause, however they have seen no correspondence or leadership in this area from responsible government officials. The situation could even become more heightened next season if they decide to drain the Manawa Pond and Clintonville.
Petitions are available at Cash's Little Shoppe of Bait, and several area convenience stores. "If your County Board was so interested in promoting local tourism, then moving forward they should take a good hard look at the timelines of these lakes being drained, and consider keeping public access to existing fishing holes," said one angler from Kaukauna.
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