January 14, 2026

By Lane Kimble

LAKE TOMAHAWK, Wis. — If people attending Thursday’s WTBA PAC Ice Fishing Excursion expected a relaxing day on the ice, Phil Lazarski had news for them.

“It’s work,” Lazarski said as he took a moment to catch his breath. “I told (one of our guides) Isaac, he’s going to get his 10,000 steps in today.”

It wasn’t just racing to grab the more than two-dozen tip-ups constantly going off around Pickerel Lake.

It was fighting through soupy slush and crusty snow on top thanks to unseasonably warm temperatures for early January in Oneida County.

WTBA 1st Vice President Mike Hahn wasn’t complaining.

“The fishing’s awesome,” Hahn said. “I don’t think I’ve seen this many northerns caught in a long time. It’s been unbelievable.”

The outing was a first attempt at something new for the WTBA PAC, which provides financial support for the association’s critical legislative efforts.

“Who could beat ice fishing and the dual cause of supporting the PAC?” Hahn added.

Two years of canceled snowmobile outings due to a lack of snow led Director of Government Affairs Elise Nelson and her Associate Council to try something more reliable.

The result was a great success, thanks in large part to staff’s coordination and Lazarski’s knowledge and fishing connections.

Several attendees set up portable stoves for fresh caught shore lunch snacks ahead of a catered lunch from the nearby Shamrock Pub ‘N Eatery in Lake Tomahawk.

Nearly 20 people signed up for the event, including several new members from APEX.

“We’re always looking to support, from an Associate standpoint, like we are, just anything we can do to help out,” Lazarski said.  “Whether it’s setting up an event like this or attending the CE Conference coming up here, anything like that we can do to help is on our mind.”