First ice northern WI 2023

[eriksat1]

We have some ponds iced over and shoreline skim ice on lakes in back bays. Calling for single digit low tonight. Won't be long now.

[bigstorm]

got the boat put away the other day, and in about 2 weeks, I will start driving north till I find ice.....

[RapShack]

Lake Onalaska.

[Iceshanty]

Starting to look pretty good around here on Shawano Lake, although it’s not quite ready yet. Too bad this cold snap didn’t last a little longer.

[eriksat1]

Got out today 4 inches ice  caught 6 crappie felt good. Deer season has been a bust.

[Uglymug]

Well I was really hopeful that we'd get some nice early ice, but looks like after the initial skim over its slowly melting back to open. Hopefully get some colder temps next week down in southern wi.

[edfalc]

heading out scouting safe ice in Eagle River...will report with pics

[eriksat1]

I was on a small lake yesterday about 200 acre and had consistent 7 inches of clear ice. The big deep clear lakes are no good still open water in spots. If I can find small lakes with 6 or 7 inches I'm golden. I have a bad feeling a lot of people will fall through this holiday week venturing out on the big lakes. Some lakes have just finally skimmed over.

[52isntbigenough]

Was up fishing Vilas Co and the UP Dec 7th thru December 16th.

Ice has a great base of 3-4". And survived rain and warm temps

[52isntbigenough]

Fished the Cisco Chain and Lac Vu Desert the last 3 days. Shorelines were pulling back, but once out 5-6" of good ice.

Tried fishing 2 pot-hole lakes in the UP, but it was way too dangerous.

Fishing was ok, plenty of flags, a few walleye and perch.

Weather was amazing

[FilletShow]

Fished some Minocqua area lakes the 3rd, 4th, and 5th.  Had about 6” where we were, but a couple inches less by the shore, so we stayed on foot.  Had some nice sized fish, topped by a 36” inch pike and a 25” eye.  Bite windows were small, but fast when they came.  Slippery ice got better throughout the trip with snow most every day and night, totaling about 3 or 4 inches by Saturday morning the 6th.  Smaller shiners were the key for us, but we caught them at various depths.  6-12 feet on the edge of green weeds was the best area.  Hopefully the lack of snow(compared with the southern 1/3 of the state) will allow the ice to build and the ground to freeze deeper for sleds. 

Tight lines,
Fs