Access to Lake Winnebago is about to expand for many ice anglers.
by: Mark Schram of myfishingpartner.com
In 2015, it appears two new fishing clubs are going to emerge on the south end of the lake. As a result, the south end of the lake near Fond du Lac could have dedicated plowed roads on the ice for the first time in many years.
For years, the Oshkosh region of the lake has had a vast network of fishing clubs plowing ice roads on the lake during the winter. Otter Street Fishing Club, Pipe Fishing Club, West Shore Fishing Club, Quinney Fishing Club and others have built a network of connecting ‘iceways’ which allow anglers to move freely about the central basin of the lake.
The clubs will connect roads allowing traffic to travel directly across the lake via the ice, a distance of about 10 miles wide.
The south end of the lake has been vastly underutilized by anglers due to lack of ice roads. Getting around on Lake Winnebago is difficult without a main access road during the winter, along with being downright dangerous when blazing your own trail.
The South End Fishing Club emerged in Fond du Lac in September when eleven people attended the inaugural meeting. They club changed the name to ‘Foot of the Lake Fishing Club’ in late November and now has grown to approximately 30 members.
The club is still looking for a dedicated plow and volunteers to drive the vehicle, once it is obtained. The group meets on the first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. at Schmitty’s Oar House in Fond du Lac.
Membership dues are $20.
A second club has started to form closer to North Fond du Lac, and will be based out of the Blanck’s Supper Club area on the southwest shore of Lake Winnebago. The name of this club is the Friendship Fishing Club.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 3 at 7 p.m. at Blancks Lake Aire Supper Club. Another meeting is scheduled on January 7 at 7 p.m. at Lenny’s Bar in North Fond du Lac.
Vital to both clubs success will be membership numbers. Building an active base of members will be the only way these clubs will exist long term.
Each of these clubs are actively recruiting new members, donations for startup, and volunteers to make these plans a reality. I encourage anyone who has any interest to donate their time or money to get these clubs on their feet.
In addition, most of the local clubs will be in need of used Christmas trees. The trees become road markers on the lake and can be a life saver in poor visibility.
For more information:
Visit the Foot of the Lake Club has a Facebook page.
