WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) — Supply chain issues are now impacting Wisconsin outdoorsmen.
Ice fishing season is in full swing in Central Wisconsin, but supply shortages could put the fun on hold for some.
“Some of our biggest vendors are unable to ship at all right now,” said Tom Keenan, store manager at Chase Outdoors in Rothschild.
Keenan said they’re still waiitng on some orders they placed back in May.
“We still have not received it and I don’t expect to receive it,” he said.
Keenan said ice shacks are particularly hard to find right now, and even smaller accessories like tip-ups and line are feeling the bite.
“Just a simple, couple little gadgets, guys tell me they’ve been to four or five retailers trying to find and it just doesn’t exist,” he said.
For area fisherman Peter Lor, he’s not worried about himself.
“I can still come out. I have the right amount of lures from previous years so it’s not too much to worry about,” he said.
Lor said he’s worried about the impact shortages will have on the next generation.
“There’s a lot of new young fishermen out there now, especially with covid more people have been coming out,” he said.
For now, shops say they’re doing what they can to get product on the shelves so you can get out on the ice. Keenan advises if you see a product you need, don’t hesitate to buy it, because it may not be there for long.
