ICE SPEAR FISHING: FOCUSING ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI LA CROSSE REACH 
Ron Deiss
Clock Tower Building, P.O. Box 2004, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island 
District, Rock Island, Illinois 61204-2004

Ice spear fishing is one of the oldest, traditional methods for harvesting fish 
during the winter months. It has been practiced in the Upper Midwest Great Lakes 
region for over 1000 years.  Ice spear fishing became popular in the La Crosse 
Reach on the Upper Mississippi River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 
but was completely prohibited by the late 1930s.  During the height of its 
popularity, ice spear fishing in the La Crosse Reach adapted to the varying 
river conditions and developed a regional style.

Keywords: spear fishing, history, fisheries, native culture