In Wisconsin, we are lucky enough to have a hugely disproportionate number of lakes all around us. During our frigid winters, the very top layer of those inland lakes freezes suddenly and becomes an extension of the land. Once the water is frozen, people from across the upper Midwest go out on top of the lakes, walking and driving on water in the annually shifting landscape.
Several years ago I had the unfortunate experience of falling through the ice in winter. Walking through a small swamp on my parents' 80 acres, I hit a soft spot in the ice caused by a warm spring underneath and, in seconds, I was up to my waist in the water. It was nearly below zero but luckily the water never went above my waist and I made it back all right.
It seemed safe enough. From the front window of my house I could see at least 100 locals were out icefishing on Monona Bay last weekend. The \falling"" memory was in the back of my mind as I first stepped onto Lake Monona's quickly softening ice last Friday and Saturday, but to talk to ice fishermen, it is necessary to go into their world, so I did.
With temperatures over 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the mood of the ice fishermen was very relaxed and I was quickly reassured of my safety when I saw the ice was well over one foot thick. Chatting with several fishermen, I got an idea of the ice's thickness from the fishing holes that had been punched or augured through the ice one day earlier. They informed me that the warm temperatures had left the holes open overnight, proving the warming effects of spring. Many had brought their children out and the consensus agreed spring was definitely close at hand.
""These bluegills are huge,"" said Bill Klein, a Laboratory Manager at the UW-Madison Babcock Hall Dairy Barn,""but I just love being outside; that's why I do this every weekend."" Klein then explained that Lake Monona was the best area lake for fishing.
""I'm a bad fisherman, I can tell you that right now,"" said Klein, quickly followed by, ""Stay right here and I guarantee I'll catch a fish."" Within seconds he had made good on his promise and a 3.5"" bluegill flopped momentarily on the ice. Klein released the little panfish quickly, only keeping those big enough to eat.
Standing on the lake I realized that what makes this state, especially this city, so special is the incredible variety of the landscape and people milling together. Within view of the humble ice fishing crowd stood our Capitol, white marble gleaming in the increasing spring sun. Only minutes away, a world-class university bustles with discovery and newcomers from around the world, while normal Sconnie people hang out on the ice, sitting on buckets and catching bluegills.
Seth is a sophomore majoring in history and can be reached at sjbichler@wisc.edu.
