, , ,

Higher Temps Putting A Kibosh On Outdoor Winter Activities

Temperatures In Most Of Wisconsin Predicted To Climb Into 50s This Weekend

By
Joggers
Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo

The National Weather Service is predicting a warmer weekend across Wisconsin, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. But higher temperatures mean the chance to partake in popular winter outdoor activities is slimmer.

The 10th annual Battle on Bago ice fishing tournament on Lake Winnebago canceled the fishing portion of the event set for Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25. Meanwhile, the sturgeon spearing season is still underway on Lake Winnebago. Ice fishers there and on other lakes are urged to call local fishing clubs before driving or walking onto what could be thin ice.

Some clubs are taking out their steel vehicle bridges on Lake Winnebago because of deteriorating ice conditions, said Ryan Koenigs, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The DNR “doesn’t take a position” on whether or not it’s safe to drive on ice at any given time, he said, and most people aren’t taking their trucks out on the ice, but rather ATVs.

The nearby ski-plane fly-in Saturday at Oshkosh’s Experimental Aircraft Association, is a no-go because of a lack of snow. More than 30 ski planes were expected.

EAA’s spokesman Dick Knapinski said it’s been 10 years since the event was called off. He said the reason is simple, “We have no snow on the Pioneer Airport right behind the runway. The grass runway right behind the museum which means you can’t land ski planes there.”

Sports that are closer to ground are also feeling the heat. Dave Newman heads the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs and said trail conditions vary depending on location. Most trails in Wisconsin are groomed and maintained by volunteers from hundreds of clubs.

“Even up north they’re talking temperatures up near 50. It’s going to be pretty marginal, I’m guessing,” Newman said. “Beyond that, it all depends on if we get some more snow. We certainly can open again.” Speaking as a cold loving optimist, Newman added, “Winter isn’t over yet.”

The fate of next week’s Birkebeiner ski race is still in doubt, but should be decided by early next week. The record or near-record highs could put a damper on the marathon cross country ski race, which begins in Cable and is one of the country’s premiere cross country skiing events and draws thousands of visitors to northern Wisconsin.

James Bolen, of the Cable Chamber of Commerce, said Birkie organizers have a secret backup plan.

“The Birkebeiner won’t reveal what those plans are until Monday,” Bolen said. “But on Monday they’re going to tour the entire course, see what the conditions are, (and) make a determination at that point whether we’re going to go with the regular plans or fall back to what we’re calling ‘Plan B.’”

Bolen said one option is to shorten the courses, some of which can stretch to 42.2 miles.