Lake Onalaska

I would try below the dams and spill ways from onalaska and look for wingdams or brush or fallen trees. We use to camp on the sandbars below the dresbach dam and use bluegill for bait or stink bait and have caught some nice flatheads but for onalaska I have never tried for flatheads above the dams. Also best action is at night.

Does anyone target flathead catfish on lake onalaska? Will be coming up there around August just wondering if anyone can give me some pointers on where to start? Lake Onalaska itself or more towards the main channel of the Mississippi River?

The high water right now means the fish don't want to fight the current of the main channel, and have moved into backwater areas like Lake Ona. Lot's of water to cover, but the fish are out there. Good luck if you venture out. 

Glad you made it out safely. Could have turned to the worse. 
 Our local ice rescue was paged out around lunch time yesterday for an ice incident. Did not hear much for details. Sounded like someone went thru and quickly assisted by area fisherman.
This evening seen a dozen or so fisherman still pressing there luck out from Schaffers. Nutz
Airboat fisherman out on the perch flat below KT. Floatation craft really only safe means of travel currently IMO.

Ventured out on the lake yesterday evening for what might have been the last time of the season. I spudded my way out to be safe, but got lazy on my walk back in without spudding and ended up going through even though I thought I was following my same track. Disappointed in myself for not taking necessary precautions, but was lucky enough to not lose any gear. A good reminder that the ice of the backwaters is unpredictable. Might be 8 inches in one spot and 2 in the next...
For those debating on coming to fish it this weekend, I definitely wouldn't advise it based on my experience but you can decide for yourself. 
As for fishing, caught a couple good perch and crappie along with some type of shiner. Time to get the boat ready I suppose...

Did some scouting around today.  South shore of the lake had 13" but it was milky all the way down and not a soul out there.  Black River is open from the spillway to just past the beach.  Main channel is starting to open up between the dam and the bridge but the landing is still iced in and with the mess the construction made of the ice out there It will probably be tough to push a boat out.  South landing is still locked up all the way out and a couple guys were fishing close in but the landing is blown out and there's water all along the edges.  I don't think I'd risk venturing out on the point anymore, it was swiss cheesed with holes and only 8" or so to start so I'm sure the current is eating it up out there.  10 day looks brutal, pray to the fish gods.

We Still had good thickness but the ice could use some freezing nights to strengthen back up.   Neat to see the shad population - it will help the big fish get bigger

Slow bite with 95% good ice.    Had 8-10" everywhere except that there was a spot 20yds by 10yds wide with only 5" of ice.    This is 50yds northwest of the far north airport light.   Everywhere else ice was good with some water on top.    Will report how it holds up this weekend.   Pray for a deep freeze after the upcoming warmup.

Went and checked the ice in three spots off Schafer's this afternoon. Caught fish in each hole too! Decent gills and a mid-sized couple perch! Is is holding up, but it is only going to get worse!

We had 13 1/2” of ice where we went Monday and Tuesday beautiful clear ice too and saw 1 quad and he was a local. Hover crafts yes airboats yes. No different than any year.