Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Lake Onalaska Death


Recommended Posts

A fisherman fell thru the ice on Lake Onalaska yesterday and drowned. It hits close to home for me because he was my uncle. He taught me alot about fishing thru his life time. At age 75 he was a true river rat. He lived for it and died doing what he loved. I know he knew the ice he was on was shakey at best having fished that area for as many years as I can remember. He had fished it the day before with success and had taken a buddy with yesterday to see if the bite was still on. I guess he pushed his luck to far and paid the ultimate price. I am angry with him because I know he knew better than to put himself at such a risk. I will miss him. Ice is never safe no matter how much time you have logged on it. Be careful out there.

Fishing is Life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bodyman, thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. One little mistake and someones whole life gets turned around, as well as remaining family members. Hopefully your uncle's sacrifce may open the eyes of others preventing future accidents. I took the liberty and put your post in the Ice Fishing Main Forum. I hope you dont mind. Take care in this trying time, Mark Hoffmann

------------------
http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Iam curious as to how bad the ice was had the warm weather caused the tragedy or was he near a river mouth or something similar i have never fished that lake. just curious about the conditions might help save some one that doesn't know the lake. sorry about your lose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bodyman,sorry to hear about that.Hang in there.You maybe heard about the snowmobiler that drove into the open water on the St. Croix River and drowned last week.Having lived in the Hudson area before,you would know where it happened,below the big dam.Never can be too careful.Take it easy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone, the family and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

muskybuck, If you fished the channel by Blackdeers much then you did fish by him. He spent alot of time there chasing bluegill and crappies.

cibl, I have no problem with you moving it to the ice fishing main forum. Nobody knew ice better than my uncle, he had been walking on it for 65 year or better. He would be one of the first to venture out on new ice and one of the last to give it up for the year. The spot where he was fishing is an inlet to the lake and never makes alot of ice. Springs in the area, current flow, and warming temps all led to the accident. He had fished it the day before but the ice changed over nite. No matter what you think you know it's not enough. If someone can learn from this that would be a positive side to this tragedy.

Sinker, I did read about that and know where it happened. He must not been from around there or never been on the river not to know the dangers of that spot. Just last week one of my coworkers went thru the ice south of lake onalaska on the Black river riding double on a sled. The driver had never been on the ice there before and there was only a couple of inches. After a cold dip in 10 fow and a swim for good ice both survived but they both could have drowned so easily. I think if my uncle would have been a younger man he would have made it out okay. Fishing has a way of keeping you young in heart and mind, his body just wasn't able.
Thanks again.

Fishing is Life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.