DE PERE, Wis. — Alec Schussman and Sean Wood did something Tuesday they haven’t done a lot of in the past: They were fishing open water in a boat on the Fox River in De Pere, Wis., in February.


What You Need To Know

  • Fishing boats have been a common sight on the Fox River the past few weeks

  • Many people who would be ice fishing this time of year are fishing open waters

  • Despite the running water, there's still a need to layer up 

“We heard the walleyes were biting and the river is open, so we figured we’d get the boat out and try it out for a little while,” Schussman said.

The pair made the trip to De Pere from Neenah. Schussman said they also fished from a boat last February.

“I personally like it better than ice fishing,” Schussman said. “I’m wearing the exact same thing I would be ice fishing, but it’s a lot nicer being able to open-water fish and move around a little bit.”

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

At a time of year when anglers are historically focused on ice fishing, they’re now fishing open waters from shore.

“I’ve been fishing most of my life and I can say I never recall a time where I was not on the ice at this time of the year,” Chase Tupper of Green Bay said. “This is a lot different. This is a first for me. Especially trying to catch perch out of a river.”

Tupper said he prefers fishing on ice at this time of the year.

“This year I was really looking forward to getting out. I maybe got out five times and didn’t have the best of luck,” he said. “You’ve got to adapt to it though.”

(Spectrum News 1/Nathan Phelps)

But some things about fishing in February — either on ice or from a boat — don’t change.

“Lots of layers. Hand warmers help,” Schussman said. “Gloves. Hats.”