OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – We’ve seen some frigid temperatures over the past few days, and while that isn’t great for being a human outdoors – it’s great for those hoping to see some thicker ice on area lakes.
Temperatures dropping into the single-digits and below zero can speed up the freezing process in places like Lake Winnebago. But Don Herman of Sunk Dive & Ice Service says to be wary of where you’re getting onto the ice.
“Well last week, we had the lake blow open about quarter-mile wide. The whole west shore blew open. So that whole section of ice only has about 4-5 inches on it,” Herman told WTAQ News. “You want 6 inches for UTVs and ATVs, you want 10 inches for cars, and for us to put our bridges out for trucks and cars we need 12-14 [inches]…Right now, I wouldn’t go out there on anything other than a UTV or ATV or a snowmobile. I wouldn’t go out there on anything else.”
Other areas of Lake Winnebago have about 8-10 inches of ice right now, which moves Herman and friends closer to the ability to put the bridges out over cracks in the ice. But he still expects to keep them in storage for another few weeks.
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“Looking at the forecast, it’ll warm up a little bit, but then it’s supposed to get cold again. I’m roughly figured somewhere around January 25th? 27th? Somewhere in there,” Herman said. “It all depends on the snow we get. If you get a lot of snow beforehand, it insulates the ice and it takes a lot longer to freeze.”
If you’re planning to head out onto the ice, Herman says to be smart about it. Especially if you’re somewhat new to the experience.
“If you’re not familiar with the ice, just stay where the people are. Don’t go and venture out on your own,” Herman said. “There’s not a lot of bad ice on Lake Winnebago, but with the river channels and everything, you just have to stay away from those areas. That’s the best safety tip I can say.”
Herman and his crews receive calls just about every year about a vehicle going through the ice near the mouth of the Fox River. The current from the river can weaken the ice in that area and cause issues, no matter the thickness of the rest of the lake.
But even as the ice is continuing to reach the recommended levels for safe travel, Herman issues his familiar reminder.
“The lake [the ice] is never 100% safe,” Herman said. “There’s not many people fishing on Lake Winnebago right now. One thing, because of the weather and nobody’s been out there because of the open water that was there. But I think they’re going to start venturing out a lot this weekend.”
Lake Poygan is also measuring in around 10 inches right now. Herman says he wouldn’t recommend taking a larger vehicle onto any body of ice, at least, not yet.
