1st Timer to Wisconsin!

[bean counter]

Hey all!  My wife and two boys and 2 other families are planning a trip to Castle Rock lake (just north of Dells) between Christmas and New Years.  There will be 6 adults and 8 kids (all grade school age).  The plan is the wives and kids hit the water park the first day while the dad's find some good ice.  Day 2 the dad's take the kids on the ice - to hopefully catch something...

Here's where i need big-time help!!  How far north are we going to have to drive for walkable ice the last weekend of December? 
If Castle Rock is locked up and walkable, what can we hope to catch? - most importantly, any pointers for day 2 with the kids?  we'd rather have a fish fry than pizza hut for dinner!

tight lines!!   

[da man cave shack]

well I saw a guy out in the area this morning don't know how thick the ice was but he was out there.

[bean counter]

Hey, that's a start!! thanks for the update

[rabbittrapper]

By the last week in Dec there is about 6-8 inches of ice on the lakes. Thats in the middle of the lake to.

[Ranger619]

Bean Counter do you have a GPS with a chip ?

[bean counter]

I've got navionics on my phone - already scoping out the lake, looks like a lot of areas i want to target!  I'm excited, never fished it before.  I'm just hoping we can get the kids on some fish!

we've been debating about bringing snowmobiles, but i'm not sure the ice will be thick enough for that.  we'll probably try to find spots we can walk to...

[boder]

ice should be fine for snowmobiles but you never know what the weather will do between now and then. on castle rock you can expect to catch crappie, walleye, white bass, and catfish. most of the fishing is done in the old river channel. navionics will be a big help as would the snowmobiles.

[Ranger619]

Bean PM sent

[bean counter]

Thanks for all the help guys,  Is there a decent place up there to rent snowmobiles?  I'd had to drag some up there then not be able to use them...

[bean counter]

Hey all, i just talked to Smith2Marine and they said there's guys out ice fishing.  This true?  We're chompin at the bit to get up there in a few weeks.  Is there a good baitshop in the Castle Rock Lake area? 

thanks!

[LENNY]

I talked to a guy at Mauston fishing Saturday, he told me guys were out also and one person went through. Still early, be safe when you access the lake.

[Kilbourn]

By the time you get to my neck of the woods you'll be good to fish on the lakes, just ask more locals when you get there as you never know where springs could be or move too.