Warning- please use extreme caution if ice-fishing Walnut Creek (Papillion)

Everyone, please be extremely safe and use good judgment on the ice. A buddy of mine and I were attempting to fish Walnut along the dam area early this morning. We were over about 15fow when I heard my buddy, who was following close behind me scream. I turned around and he was flat on his face on the ice. I did not know what happened but there was a hole behind him big enough for him to fall through. He said that he had fallen through the ice with one leg, up to his hip deep. The events happened so quickly that I had no idea he'd gone through and miraculously got out on his own. He also said that he leaned to one side while falling which may have helped save his life. This was on ice that we estimated to be 4-5" thick. We both learned a good lesson quickly this morning and I am thankful that God spared my buddy. I do not know how I would have been able to explain to his wife that he had fallen through. Please use the utmost safety and judgment while ice fishing and use extreme caution particularly on early ice and around the mid-dam area of Walnut Creek. I would not wish this experience on anyone!

So glad that it all worked out for you guy's. I never had the misfortune to have gone thru the ice but have seen quite a few who did and several snow mobiles, atv's and even a wind board, go in the drink. In the Spring we use to use an extention ladder to extend from the bank out to the ice when it started to recede from the banks. We would get a few extra weeks of ice fishing doing this. I really miss not being able to go anymore! EB

Always have a pair of ice picks with you just for such time that, heaven for bid, that you do go thru the ice. EB

Same exact thing happened to me at Desot bend 2 years ago. Always have my picks and safety ropes with us.

Wow! That's scary! I fished it Sunday by the boat ramp, caught 25 or so bluegill and 4-5 bass. 6-7 inches of good firm ice, 16 FOW, wax worms and red maggots on chartreuse ice jigs. Tried minnows, too, but no crappie. I heard the crappie tend to migrate to the deeper water by the dam? The geese were hanging out down by the dam a few days ago, and they tend to keep the water open as long as they can. May have been a thin spot they had kept open longer?

Saw a couple Nebraska fellas on Kirwin Thur. Ice would give way around the edges and probably 3" of ice further out. It isnt worth dying for guys.

Without a doubt EB...I always have my picks, spudbar, and at times a life jacket. My bubby even had his picks but didn't even use em. I suppose we can credit his quick reflexes! Safe fishing.