January 1995
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the monthly newsletter for people who live, work or play on the Upper Mississippi River
Vol. 3, No. 1
$2
Ice Harvesting the Old-fashioned Way
What Bait are You Using?
By Gene Purcell
By Lee Kernen
In the days before mechanical refrigeration,
Fishing is a big business in Wisconsin, worth over $800 million a year to the state's economy. A major part of that money is spent on live bait like minnows, worms and hellgrammites. In fact, Wisconsin anglers spend over $35 million a year for bait! This figure and many other interesting facts are in a study recently published by a University of WisconsinStevens Point graduate student, Tom Meronic. In his report, Meronic examines the 1992 bait industry in seven Midwestern states. His findings not only describe the number and kinds of bait sold, but they give interesting insights into what kind of fish we pursue. The seven states include Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Minnesota leads the pack in minnows sold, with $45 million worth a year. Wisconsin is second with $35 million. The most popular min-
the ice on rivers and ponds was a crop. When January rolled around and the ice was ripe, it was time to harvest. Ice harvested from Midwestern rivers, lakes and ponds served many purposes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The growing meat packing and brewing industries needed it. People needed ice at home, too. Iceboxes - large wooden coolers using blocks of ice - were common well into the 1930s and 40s. Most people today would have trouble harvesting their own ice. In fact, few would know where to begin. Therefore I will bring the 1990's art of business consulting to the 1890's art of harvesting ice and tell you how to start your own ice business.
Getting Started First, we have to wait for winter. This is important since all of the best natural ice is found in northern states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota, where winters are long and cold. Next, find a suitable ice field. This may have been a problem 100 years ago, because ice dealers would already have specific fields they used year after year, but in 1994 those fields should be readily available. You must keep in mind factors like water quality and aeration. Ponds were often avoided because the water didn't move enough to provide aeration and formed what was called "pond ice," murky ice with holes in it that was of poor quality for cooling purposes. Most people looked for shallow, slow moving water, which would form solid, clear ice. After locating the perfect ice field, you must work to keep it clear of snow, which tends to slow down the freezing
(Bait continued on page 5)
What's Inside ... Lettertothe Editor Who is Resporisil:>le for Trenton Island?
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Food with a View Diamond Jo Warehouse
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Current Events Bambi's Revenge, Missouri. Water War
Ri'-l'erCalendor & Alrn<:mac Anqler Educptiol)'. §a~Je .watches ..â&#x20AC;˘.
(Ice Haroestfog continued on page 2)