Wisconsin

Ice conditions are improving for walking, especially in the bays, channels, and sloughs. Anglers are catching a lot of bluegills and a few perch, too. A few northern pike have turned up. Fox River Bait

Ice was starting to form in quite a few areas last week. Cherokee Marsh had 3 to 4 inches of ice as of last week, with fishermen catching quite a few panfish. Lake Waubesa had

There was some ice on small lakes and bays in the area, but the big lakes were still open as of last week. In some places there is snow on an inch or two of

Most of the lakes are ice-covered and fishing had been pretty good, but a heavy snowfall started to produce some slush in spots as of late last week. A cold spell that was forecast should

In Milwaukee County, ice is forming on most tributaries, but the Milwaukee River remained open near the harbor last week. Shore anglers behind the Summerfest grounds have been catching a few browns on minnows or

While limited open water remains and the ice in current areas is unsafe yet, the backwaters, bays, and shallow flats have 3 to 7 inches of good ice, but keep safety in mind. The bluegill

Some bays on smaller lakes had 2 to 3 inches of ice in spots last week and some life-long locals who know these spots were going out cautiously. The great early-ice fishing will still provide