A sunny day with solid ice for fishing

Anglers take advantage of highs in the low 40s
By: 
Warren Bluhm
Editor-in-chief

Milder temperatures in early January melted almost all of the snow in southern Oconto County, but the ice was solid for the anglers who ventured onto the Oconto River on Jan. 15.

“We were surprised to see trucks out here,” said Kevin Corcoran, who set up a shelter about 50 yards off shore with his wife, Jennifer, sons Liam and Patrick, and lab-retriever mix Cooper. “But the ice is still at least a foot thick.”

At mid-afternoon, the fish weren’t biting much, but the family was having a good time on the ice.

More than two dozen shanties dotted the river north of the Oconto Falls dam near East Side Beach, and the area buzzed with activity as people took advantage of near-record temperatures around 42 degrees.

Because ice conditions can vary, the Department of Natural Resources advises checking with local experts before venturing forth on any given day. Local bait shops, fishing clubs and resorts serve winter anglers every day and often have the most up-to-date information on how thick the ice is on local lakes and rivers, as well as areas that are especially dangerous, the DNR says.

It was still more wintery in northern Oconto County, and the Paul Bunyan Ski Hill was open last weekend although its tubing hill was closed. Snowmobilers and other winter sports enthusiasts are advised to check www.ocontocounty.org/trail-reports for the latest information.

More seasonal weather was due to return to the area later in the week.