Any chance?

Any chance ice will be off for Opener?

You need to relax. If its off, its off. Thinking about is a waste of time.

nope to many cocktails to be consumed that need ice

Nope! 29” of clear solid ice on the pond!

A lot can happen this time of the year. I still think I will be on soft water.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

You need to relax. If its off, its off. Thinking about is a waste of time.

Tom, I’m guessing you are older? Maybe w/ grandkids? For those of us with little kids, busy schedules, friends to coordinate time with, and jobs to plan time off for we can’t just kick back and see what happens. Plus I’ve already had two Spring trips cancelled because of the snow and I need something to keep me going

Maybe you need to have a drink and relax yourself

I hear ya Lindy, but never waste a hall pass weekend.

When ice just goes out the bite can be fire, and it’s worth gambling imo. Plan a, b and c, and this year maybe d will get you on fish somewhere.

Good luck.

Yeah…. I hear that. When our Rainy trip got cancelled, me and a couple buddies turned it into a sled trip instead and hit up the bar, watched UMD hockey win the title.

Right now, we are working on plan A and B at least.

But I would still be curious on any local updates in the Leech area, a guy can hope!

I was on Leech the weekend of April 6, probably 30+ inches of good/solid ice. I went out Saturday April 21 and although there is still over 24 inches of ice there is a big difference in the condition of the ice, lots of slush/water on top and very chunky at the bottom when the auger went through. We have almost 3 more weeks so I am hopeful it will be gone. Sun, Wind and Rain are our friends right now.

If you would have asked a week ago I would have said I doubt it. After ice fishing Rush lake in Central Minnesota yesterday and looking at the current 10 day forecast I think it will be gone. How soon prior to opener I’m not sure but I was a betting man I’d say it will be gone. The ice on Rush was still pushing 24″ but the ice was way soft and waterlogged. The edges were starting to look real blue and my guess will be pulling away from shore by Wednesday. Leech is a bite further North but not much and the forecast for there looks about the same. Walker has a Current time of 64 Deg. with plenty of sunshine and all 50’s and a few 60 forecasted for this week and 70’s for next weekend. Add in some rain and wind and it will go real fast

I tested some shore ice west of Carlton off HWY 210 while up north on Saturday (4/21). It was solid underneath but had 10″ of water/slush/soft ice on top. Would have been able to get on the ice without problems but the shore ice days are numbered.

I think it’s a lock the ice will be off. Temps in the 60’s and 70s, rain, overnight Temps above freezing,and wind.

Lots of sunshine on tap boys… two weeks ago it looked virtually impossible to most (including myself). Maybe this will be one of the quicker ice-disappearing-acts we have seen?

I need to get in a boat soon….. mental health reasons

I never questioned it! LOL Ice will be OFF!

Heard from some people up there the ice is starting to pull away from the shore lines in some areas. I really think people are underestimating how fast the ice is going to go.

Saw the Walker area got some decent rain this morning. Plus the chance for some more tonight and windy today.

I am still on the fence as to if it will be open. Take a look at the Leech Lake TV tower cam, Ice still looks pretty white.

Tower Web Cam

You can see some open water on the tower cam now! Hopefully with this warm sunny day and a little breeze it does some more damage to the ice.

I have some friends going up to Walker and staying in the Steamboat area this weekend so will have a first-hand report from them also

This photo was taken today on Leech, not sure on what part of the Lake. We are still planning on going there for Opener! It’s going to be close but should be enough open water!

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Late ice should hold the shiner run back some! Could be a good first couple weeks out there

Here’s a photo of agency bay, ice free from Saturday 5/5. And another photo taken from pine point towards stony. Also taken 5/5.

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Here’s the agency bay photo. Leech will definitely have water to fish. But I do think there will be some ice floating around on opener weekend.

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The first photo here is from the shores of pine point resort on the NW shore of pine point facing towards little hardwoods. Second pic is a better pic of an ice free agency bay.

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And lastly, the first photo is from Sunday 5/6 at 1pm, on pine point facing stoney. Second pic is at 4pm Sunday 5/6, same location. With the rain in the forecast, and some nice gusts.

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Nice update TBR. We are coming up….. can’t wait

Per Reeds in Walker: Walker Bay, Agency Bay, Steamboat Bay, Kabakona Bay, Walker Narrows and Sucker Bay are all ice-free. Some ice moving around on the main lake in the Pelican Island and Stony Point area.

The Walker Pilot-Independent has declared official ice-out today! Good luck this weekend guys!