Two Trucks Plunge Through Ice on Lake Winnebago

Sturgeon spearers narrowly escape as vehicles sink into Wisconsin lake

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Two men, Bill Shommer and Lee Rasmussen, had their pickup trucks fall through the ice on Lake Winnebago near Menasha, Wisconsin on Wednesday morning. The men were heading out to pull their ice shanties off the lake when their GPS led them too close to a river channel, causing both their vehicles to plunge into the frigid waters. Luckily, the men were able to escape and were brought back to shore by bystanders, though their trucks remain submerged.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of ice fishing and the importance of being cautious when venturing out on frozen lakes, especially as weather conditions can change rapidly. It also serves as a reminder for anglers to closely monitor ice conditions and heed warnings from local authorities before heading out.

The details

According to the men, the early morning fog made it difficult to see the ice conditions, and their GPS inadvertently guided them towards a dangerous area near the river channel on the northwest side of the lake. Both of their pickup trucks fell through the ice, with one man having to break his window to escape. Bystanders were able to quickly rescue the men and bring them back to shore, but their vehicles remain submerged in Lake Winnebago.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026.
  • The men were heading out to pull their ice shanties off the lake when the accident happened.

The players

Bill Shommer

One of the two sturgeon spearers whose truck fell through the ice on Lake Winnebago.

Lee Rasmussen

The other sturgeon spearer whose truck also fell through the ice on Lake Winnebago.

Jonathan Puiatskowit

A representative from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources who warned about the deteriorating ice conditions on the lake.

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What they’re saying

“The ice is good, but we were where we shouldn't have been.”

— Bill Shommer (wearegreenbay.com)

“We should've gone around to the south side, and we went to the far west where the river washes out.”

— Lee Rasmussen (wearegreenbay.com)

“It's a little hard to describe how it is when that truck is going down. He got his window down, I didn't. I had to break [mine] to get out.”

— Lee Rasmussen (wearegreenbay.com)

“We both are okay, you can replace the truck, you can't replace the people.”

— Bill Shommer (wearegreenbay.com)

“With the conditions deteriorating and the landings getting rough and being midweek, we're not seeing the activity we've seen over the weekend.”

— Jonathan Puiatskowit, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources representative (wearegreenbay.com)

What’s next

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor ice conditions on Lake Winnebago and provide updates to the public. Authorities may also investigate the incident to determine if any safety protocols need to be improved.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of ice fishing, even on lakes that are typically considered safe. It underscores the importance of closely heeding local warnings, using caution when venturing out, and always prioritizing personal safety over accessing the ice.