Lake Onalaska

Feb 16-17th is the WIFA high school state championship pool 7-8 where we expect 1,000 anglers ........so let's hope their is another cool down after this big warm up that's forecasted.   If you want peace and quiet you can always fish the areas that are off limits to our students or another weekend.     Our website should have maps of where WIFA will be fishing 

Island outdoors ~ Atomic Derby  Saturday Jan 27
Brice Prairie Conservation Club  Saturday Feb  3 

These are the only 2  I'm aware of. I usually stay off the ice those days. Sunday is usually much quieter. 
You could always try a different area. Trempealeau lakes area is a nice alternative to chase some panfish. 

Anyone know what weekends the derbies are this winter?  If traveling up would like to pick a weekend without one.  TIA !

Made it out yesterday on lake Onalaska for the first time on the ice. There seems to be pretty good ice but you still need to be cautious where you travel. Where I was fishing there was 8 inches of solid ice. I wish I could give a good fishing report. It was very slow and because of the very windy conditions I didn't move around like I normally would have done. I ended up getting 6 keeper perch and one decent bluegill but fished for 5 hours. Good luck and tight lines.

I fished Lake Onalaska on Sunday afternoon for a bit before the Packer game. Found a nice pile of gills right off the landing! Had 4-5" of ice on bare spots, but less than 2" under the snow. This week of cold should finally get us some safer ice to move around on! I did make a video about fishing during post front conditions (hence the late report), so check that out at the Hunt Fish Camp YouTube page if you'd like!

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