Long shot here, but wondering if anyone has any tips on lakes or bays of lakes that freeze up early in the season. Been in Eau Claire area for 4 years now and every winter I struggle to find anywhere nearby (other than halfmoon, and I really don't like halfmoon) that tend to freeze up earlier than other lakes. I find myself traveling up to Sawyer county or towards Wausau but I know there has to be something closer. The lakes I usually fish are the typical deep, spring fed lakes that take forever to freeze.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for an early ice "honey hole", heck I don't even care if there are any fish! Just looking for somewhere to get out as early as possible to satisfy the itch and make sure everything is in working order.