Lake Onalaska Death

[Bodyman]

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.

[muskybuck]

Bodyman, My sympathies are with your and your family. I'll bet I fished beside him a couple of time or more but did not know him.

[Slothin'02]

Bodyman,

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Another reminder that there isn't a fish alive that's worth risking your life for, yet we all probably do at one time or another.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

[can it be luck?]

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

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http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

[blackjackdavey]

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.

[CrappieMagnet]

Sorry to hear of your loss...Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family..

CrappieMagnet

[Sinker]

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.

[Bodyman]

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.

[Northlander]

This is very sad to hear! Just more proof that NO ice is safe ice!