Lake Onalaska

Ventured out on Lake Onalaska yesterday from Schafer's. Don't let the subzero temps lately fool you about the ice safety. Some spots where there was snow cover that insulated the ice were unsafe and at one point I hit my spud bar through on 1 hit. If you stay on the areas where it's ice covered you'll be fine, but seriously use caution on any snow covered areas. Would hate to see someone go through in these frigid temps. As for fishing, fishing is always good. Catching was mediocre, but sure felt good to get out!  

Was able to get on some ice on Saturday. . .Long Lake in Trempealeau and then back to the backwaters of Lake Onalaska. Caught pike and a few gills up at Long Lake, then a ton of gills on Onalaska. . .But mostly small. All in all it was a good day. With colder temps coming, we will finally be able to get out to the good stuff!! However, be careful this coming weekend, a couple days of cold will only make things seem safer than they are.

GR,  Lauderdale is below the spillway from Lake Onalaska. Backwater area off the Black River. Common landmark in the area is Nutbush Restaurant right off the highway.

Search for “Lauderdale Place La Crosse” on google maps, you’ll see it I think. Also if your in the area Island Outdoors is great place to get bait and info! Guys are awesome there!

Osprey 83 or anyone else, could you tell me where Lauderdale area is on Lake Onalaska?  Thank you in advance.
GR

I'm really hoping that after this week, I will be able to start posting actual fishing reports and not just an ice update!! 

Open water and areas of skim ice. Water temps are right there for locking up anytime. Next week looks good for making some ice. 

Any idea forming yet?

Here is this weeks ice report! I'll hopefully get on the ice before the rain comes and then will be able to provide ​a more detailed fish report!

Here's this weeks Lake Onalaska Ice Report.

Was driving by the lake today just before noon and low and behold... 4 guys out on the ice. Kind of a lousy picture but if you zoom in they can be seen.

I had no desire to try to get any closer.

This Thursday?   
Lake Onalaska? 
Most of the lake opened up this afternoon. Few icebergs drifting around. Lot of mild temp days and wind in the next 10 days.
I'm would figure sometime after Christmas for safe ice if not closer to the New Year. 

Upon further review...and an updated weather report there will probably be a chance of fishable ice by Thursday.

If you're an experienced first ice adventure seeker there's a good chance a few guys will be on the early ice spots.

Be careful...a few panfish isn't worth falling through...I've done it 3 times and it's no fun.

Been fishing in the boat lately. With this warm weather the little ice that was fishable is crappy.

Depending on the weather at least another week to 10 days or even longer.

Getting eager to get out. Any report on ice conditions?