Many of the shallower lakes have reached winterkill conditions and some are experiencing fish die-off. Cross-county skiing and snowshoeing conditions are excellent. The snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are no longer suitable for use. The snow on the trails will be solid ice or completely melted by the end of the week. Automobiles are falling through the ice on the Petenwell Flowage.
Ice fishing is at a standstill.
A few people are trying to catch panfish. Boat anglers are after walleyes in the open water below the Petenwell and Nekoosa dams on any day when air temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Only the small male walleyes are being caught now, and they are undersized and must be released. Conservation wardens are receiving calls about dogs chasing deer. This can be an especially serious problem in the morning hours when the previous night temperatures freeze the wet snow to form a new crust.