Authorities are warning people to stay off thin ice on Lake Winnebago and Green Bay following several days of unseasonably warm weather.
Photo courtesy Harrison Fire Department

GREEN BAY — Authorities are warning people to stay off thin ice on Lake Winnebago and Green Bay following a recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather.

“This has not been a typical Wisconsin winter, so even though it is mid-February, DO NOT GO OUT ON THE ICE!!” wrote the Brown County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Coast Guard and other agencies, carried out three separate ice rescues Thursday, saving nine people who had become stranded on the ice. READ MORE.

The Calumet County Sheriff’s Office also is sounding the alarm.

“We are requesting everyone stay off of Lake Winnebago this weekend. Any remaining ice is unstable,” they say.

“What appears to be good ice now, may not be good in an hour due to shifting.”

The Harrison Fire Department says ice conditions were extremely poor Friday on the north end of Lake Winnebago.

“The landings are in rough shape as the wind continues to move the ice around,” they said.

Boat landings are posted, “ice is not safe for vehicular traffic.”

Authorities are warning people to stay off thin ice on Lake Winnebago and Green Bay following several days of unseasonably warm weather.
Photo courtesy Sturgeon Bay Charter Fishing

Area fishing guides are also canceling trips.

“With a heavy heart, we are canceling all ice trips for 2024,” acccording to Sturgeon Bay Charter Fishing.

“There flat out is no ice that we can take anyone on. The little bit of hope we were holding onto blew out yesterday and today.”

They’re now looking ahead to the open water fishing season.



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By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.