Early Ice - 1/14/2021 by Brian Huser, Rock River Bait Box

Early ice is peak time for the regulars to venture out on most area lakes. The fish are still fairly active, no commotion above the ice to scare them away. Our lakes in southern Wisconsin have regular sized crowds with the exception of Clear Lake.

Note: The ice depths around area lakes are not substantial enough to support permanent shanties or ATVs.

Ice is not in best shape overall due to insulating snow cover and warmer than normal daytime and night time temperatures. Use a spud bar if you are unsure about conditions. It’s best not to venture out on snow covered, or slushy, honeycomb ice to be safe. Avoid areas near springs, current, and ice heaves Best to avoid deep water areas of lake at this time.Lastly, remember to practice Selective Harvest to limit overfishing of species more prescient due to COVID-19. Do not take the bag limit each day.

Clear Lake

Clear Lake has 5 to 7 inches along shoreline shallows. No open water. Lots of people fishing on Clear Lake. Literally full every day along Pine Rd to a ¼ mile long of trucks with trailers. Especially busy on the weekend. Hits good to average. Bluegills, crappies, perch pan fishing has been good and occasional Pike on tip-up. Recommend Spring bobbers for panfish. Best access off of W. Pine Road get there via N. Tresher Road

Lake Kegonsa

No open water but deeper water is at one inch or less. Shallows along shoreline at around 5". Panfishing of crappies, bluegills but perch slow at this time.. Public access points include LaFollette County Park and Lake Kegonsa State Park. Stay away from lock and dam.

Lake Koshkonong

No open water, near to safe conditions. Lake Kosh is the most ice covered of area lakes due to shallow depths. Average ice depth at 6-8”. Avoid ice around the river’s mouth. Anglers are having luck moving permanent shanties out but again exercise caution, these last few seasons have produced less than ideal conditions out on the ice on all area lakes. Experiencing the opposite of the last two years of flooding and draw down of lake level. At best three to four feet water under ice. In general, avoid slushy spots, places where there are cracks or heaves and notable spring holes. Panfishing has been good most notably perch and pike. Walleye bite has been slow. Shiner and chubs good bet for larger fish. There are four public access points. Try the end North Shore Rd, It is quiet but anglers are finding perch there. Also check out Vinnie HaHa Road there’s action going on there. Norm’s Hideaway Bar & Grill (closed) at end of Kuahn Road off Carcajou road is good place to enter Kosh as well. Try out Royce-Dallman park off N. Charlie Bluff Road.

Lake Ripley

No open water however not safe enough in deeper areas where ice is one inch or less due primarily to snow cover. Five to seven inches noted along shallow shoreline. Average number of anglers. Hits good to more average. Panfish are biting also catching bigger size bluegill, perch, pike, walleye, and occasional largemouth bass. Best places to access include Boy scout Camp Launch, Lake Ripley Marina. Success with wax worms and lighter red spikes (maggots.)

Lake Waubesa

Shallower shorelines have ice of 5-7" deeper waters not locked in, not advidsable to go out there at this time. Tip-ups are getting pike and walleye. There are few public access points for Waubesa. try entry at Lake Waubesa Bible Camp, at the Green Lantern boat launch/parking lot, Christy's Landing and Lake Farm.

Rock Lake

No open water. Shallower shorelines at 5-7 ice depth. Deep areas 1”. Portables right now not ready for permanent shanties yet. Throw in a Tip-ups getting walleye, perch, bluegill. Action at north end of Rock lake crappies, bluegills, sunfish. Public access points are at: Sandy Beach at Sandy Beach Rd; Bartel’s Beach at S. Ferry Dr; Lower Rock Lake Park and Tyranena Park at Cty Hwy B on the north side and access from the west side at Shorewood Hills Road and Elm Pt Road.

Whitewater Lake

No open water. Shallower shorelines at 5-7” ice depth. Deep water areas at one inch or less. Fisherman just getting out there now. Public access points One of more popular destinations is Kettle Moraine Park Scenic Drive. Also try RNW Townline Road. And East Lake Shore Dr. Pike, largemouth bass, bluegills, crappies, perch are hitting right now.