Competitors on Big Eau Plaine Reservoir in Wauwau, WI. Photos/Meredith Garcia, TakeMeFishing.org

On Saturday and Sunday on the frozen waters of Big Eau Plaine Reservoir in Wausau, WI teams from around the globe are competing in the World Ice Fishing Championship.

Conditions are rough with ice ranging between 16 and 20 inches thick. “A lot thicker than we’d like with hand augering,” Team USA Capt. Mike McNett said. The thick ice contributes to low oxygen levels. In the pre-competition rounds many of the fish are 11 to 15 feet deep.

The team that catches the most combined total weight of fish over the two day competition wins. At this time of year the anglers can’t catch bass, walleye or muskie. Pan fish including sunfish and perch are the initial target. Once you get your limit of legal fish you can really pack on the pounds with rough fish including carp. (more…)