Tres Holes Ice Fishing School teaches kids the joys of ice fishing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin: Kyle “Spoon Man” Lamm shared some ice fishing wisdom for kids. He says the first rule is to keep those gloves dry. Kids always seem to get them soaked, and then cold hands follow.
Ben Tate proudly holds his first northern pike, caught at Slim Creek Flowage. Tate Erickson also caught his first pike on the Flambeau River. It was a big day for the kids!
This was all part of the Tres Holes Ice Fishing School, which kicked off in northern Wisconsin around the new year. Lamm, along with Chris Heider and Pat Patel, started this unique group back in 2020 after a fun night of fishing on Moose Lake.
They were inspired by the camaraderie of snowmobile riders and wanted to create a similar vibe for ice fishermen. They even mentioned on their website how they felt snowmobilers didn’t respect ice fishers, whether on the ice or at local bars.
Heider’s sons, Justin and Ben, caught some big crappies, while Lamm’s nephews, Ben Tate and Tate Erickson, were thrilled to catch their first northern pike. The Heider boys had some experience, but it was a first for Lamm’s nephews.
Lamm is pretty open about his fishing skills. He joked that forming Tres Holes has actually helped him improve because he considers himself the worst fisherman in the group. But the best part? They all enjoy fishing together and are just as excited to see someone else catch a nice fish.
He shared that they’ve fished together so often that they each know their roles, so there’s no need to ask who’s bringing the hand warmers or what to do next.
Lamm got his nickname from his love for fishing spoons. He started with a simple hand auger and a cheap combo, but he got hooked on ice fishing while fishing in the harbors of Chicago, where the skyline made for a stunning backdrop.
Ice fishing has changed a lot over the years, but Lamm says they just have fun out there. He even mentioned their group’s theme song is by Seven Mary Three, a band from their teenage years.
By the way, if you’re interested in local events, Gregg Thomas will be speaking at the Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter this Thursday evening in Glenview. Just a heads up, the date was listed incorrectly before.
And for those into hunting, the Canada goose season wraps up this Thursday in the north zone, while the second part of the late-winter antlerless-only deer season runs from Friday to Sunday.
Lastly, retired naturalist Carl Strang has released his updated guide to “Singing Insects of the Chicago Region,” which includes some fascinating info about cicadas. If you want a copy, just shoot him an email.
