Anglers hoping to find their traditional fishing holes open this weekend in the Northwoods might have a problem. Mother Nature decided to extend winter this year, so for many the true opener might be a week or so away.
DNR northern district fisheries supervisor Mike Vogelsang gives us an update about ice on Northwoods lakes...
"...things are socked in very well yet. Some of the smaller lakes are turning dark, not to the point I would feel safe walking on them anymore. In my estimation it's going to be another one to three days before the ice is out on the small lakes that are 200 acres or less. The larger walleye producing lakes like Big Arbor Vitae, Plum Lake, Little Arbor Vitae those have very solid ice. We've seen people ice fishing yet...."
Vogelsang says he heard people were sitll using ATV's on the 4,000 acre Lac Vieux Desert in Vilas county Wisconsin and Gogebic county Michigan.
Vogelsang says his best guess is mid-to-late next week before the ice goes out on the larger lakes. Vogelsang says your walleye boat might not work, but there are river spots open that produce walleyes. He says whether you're using tip-ups or rods and reels, it's still the fishing opener.
