Yankee lost in Milwaukee

[FishinMagician]

Hello Wisconsinites,

I'm a New Yorker visiting the in laws for the holidays and hoping to do some ice fishing. Assuming the harbor is no good right now, is there anyplace reasonably close where it's safe and worth wasting a day?  I'm strictly catch and release, and just looking to get outside, so any help is greatly appreciated. I normally get out for steelhead on the creeks, but decided to bring ice gear this year.  Please don't let me have driven an auger 700 miles and not let it get to taste WI ice.

Thanks

[Watertooner]

I hope you enjoy your in-laws company because this southwest wind today is going to make going onto any ice a bad time. The good news is that the temps will be much cooler for most of this next week. The rain will have stopped, the snow will be melted and the lakes will have chance to reset into ice-making mode. Whether the ice will be safe again by the weekend is unknown, but I'm crossing my fingers in hopes I can get out while on a break from work. Perhaps you will have a chance as well if you are still in WI.

[bigern02]

Been out yesterday and today in sauk county. Ice isn't great by any means and I ain't saying it's safe. Especially if your unfamiliar with the waters. I'd be hesitant if I were you. So unless you get some solid info from somebody down that way I'd be very careful.

[FishinMagician]

Looks like this was the wrong year to bring the ice gear. Fortunately, I brought steelhead gear as well (is it wrong that everyone got gift cards so I could make space for fishing gear).  Hopefully the streams drop back from the melt, clear up and bring in some fresh fish.

 Thanks for the info, and stay safe out there.

[mvanhank222]

if you got steelhead gear go get some spawn and fish the wall under the Hoan Bridge

[Bwags007]

Hey I was wondering if anyone could let me know if McKinley harbor usually locks up. Been watching some YouTube and looks like guys get some big Browns right out of Milwaukee. Looking at the map, McKinley looks like it's gotta be the spot. Trying to plan a trip late Jan/feb from buffalo so any pointers would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[boder]

Yes it freezes over and yes you can get browns in there.