I’m reviewing an article on warming trends and the effects on freshwater fishing. Research on Wisconsin lakes indicate that in the last 150 years the season is now 18 days shorter(from ice cover to ice out). Based on your experience do you think the ice fishing season is getting shorter?
I think this thread is going to turn sour quickly. 
I am not sure. I didn’t ice fish 150 years ago.
It has seemed recently that the first ice seems to come later, but then again, I haven’t been a die hard ice fisherman my whole life, or even now, compared to other people. I just know I feel like first ice is 2-3 weeks later now.
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I think this thread is going to turn sour quickly.
It doesn’t have to. No mention of climate change and it goes back 150 years ago. 
Did I just say go back 150 years ago? Man I wish I had grammar check like spell check. Back 150 years.
I disagree with first ice being 2 weeks later. So often in my old age of 33 I’ve been on the ice within a week of thanksgiving. I remember ice fishing by thanksgiving in the past, but that was the exception.
It does seem that we are driving on the ice later than I remember.
You got a date for the gtg this year? Maybe if you tell Brian now he can make plans. I certainly had fun!
I don’t think the study said 2 weeks later, just that the total number of days with ice was trending shorter.
Al Gore can tell you all you need to know about global warming and if he cant, maybe he can fill you in on how to become an instant millionaire off of it!
I don’t suppose this is really a question of opinion, in so far as my own personal experience is anecdotal “evidence” and is therefore pretty much worthless for forming anything resembling a statistically significant conclusion. Essentially, the truth of the matter–whatever that might be–is more or less independent of my opinion–whatever that might be–which is more or less irrelevant. But wait…I WAS walking on ice in May this year on Mille Lacs. 
The real questions: Do you trust the data? Was it gathered responsibly? Was the study funded by anyone with an ideological purpose? etc. etc.
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I don’t think the study said 2 weeks later, just that the total number of days with ice was trending shorter.
I was the one who mentioned 2 weeks later.
Matt, I wouldn’t rely on my “data”. I just got the auger and shelter last year and started getting out more. So my recollection of first ice and last ice is not reliable.
Hopefully moving to the north side I will be able to get out more this year. If I can get my nephew out more, I’d go even more. I plan on planting my flag on Medicine, since that is going to be the closest decent body of water.
The GTG will probably be planned a month in advance with enough prodding of my brother to name a date. This year I think we will make it at least a week before walleye/pike closing. Stunk having to run around to find decent suckers. Actually there were no suckers. Had the ones barely larger than 2 fatheads put together.
What we really need is a St Croix Sturgeon GTG.
Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National
http://docsfiles.com/pdf_noaa_report_noaa_report.html
Open: (then go to page 43)
NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 142-3 Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment Part 3. Climate of the Midwest U.S.
[Filename: NOAA_NESDIS_Tech_Report_142-3-Climate_of_the_Midwest_U.S.pdf]
He didn’t ask any ones statistical analysis. He asked your opinions. 
The last few ice outs have been pretty late… Then again did it take a while for lakes to freeze over? I guess I never notice when ice glazes the lakes.
I sure hope this thread doesn’t turn from a friendly debate on climate change, to how spanking effects a kids IQ 
I find it funny how scientists have millions of years of science to prove God doesn’t exist & we were created by some odd explosion. Yet they conveniently think a tiny snapshot in time reveals the future of this planet’s climate. 
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I sure hope this thread doesn’t turn from a friendly debate on climate change, to how spanking effects a kids IQ
IQ may not change but there respect level takes a jump, and learned consequences for wrong actions takes a HUGE step in the right direction.
Oh….. I don`t ice fish so I would appreciate more days of little to no ice days. 
I think what I’m looking for are examples from folks who have experienced a shorter season due to fewer safe ice days, rather then discuss what the knowledge is or isn’t.
It was inevitable. I guess I helped it along.
As I said earlier, while I don’t feel the overall ice fishing season is any shorter, I feel as though the ice is not getting as thick. I remember one season in the past 10 years where we were never able to drive on the ice.
I also have to remember the entire sport of ice fishing has grown exponentially. New opportunities are available for early and late ice by use of wilcraft and other vehicles.
Growing up in Sothern Wi. 1970-1990’s I remember and have pictures of snow drifts as high as the power lines and no shortage of ice. Delavan Lake, Wi has had a short period of freeze the last few years. Lake Geneva in front of the library was always frozen. In Northern WI, my benchmark has been Second week of deer hunting for walkable ice,has been hit or miss, for ice fishing.
Last winter was the longest winter of ice fishing I’ll likely ever see in my life. I was on the ice from the first week in December and called it quits on May 8 by spending my final day standing on hard water watching Mille Lacs Lake walleyes spawn by the hundreds under the ice.
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Opinions are worthless for such a question. That you don’t recognize that fact might explain why you don’t understand science and say such silly things with respect to climate.
I don’t think he was asking for people to suggest a thesis to bring to the UN. The fact you don’t understand the actual question and are reading into its purpose might explain why your undies are in a bunch.
You are welcome to start your own thread with your deep understanding of science if that is the route you wish to take.
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He didn’t ask any ones statistical analysis. He asked your opinions.
My opinion is that summer is for the birds. Enough of this heat wave, already. BRING ON THE ICE!
My traditional date for ice fishing opener is the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve always been able to find walkable ice by that time somewhere, which was about 2″. Now that I have a kid, my standard for walkable ice has doubled and it’s a little tougher to find walkable ice at the end of November.
My brothers and I typically put our big house out in mid to late December. 2 or 3 years ago, we didn’t get it out until late January, but that was just an odd year with the early heavy snow (Dec 11/12 blizzard) that ruined the thin ice. The only saving grace that year was the early January rain that melted all the snow.
This year I need to hook up with you or Matt for first ice. You know, I have always wanted to fish the first ice when it is like glass, but never have. I have fished it when it was near first ice, but still thicker than just a couple inches.
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My opinion is that summer is for the birds. Enough of this heat wave, already. BRING ON THE ICE!
My traditional date for ice fishing opener is the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve always been able to find walkable ice by that time somewhere, which was about 2″.
Rejoice … for I have found my long lost twin brotha 
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Rejoice … for I have found my long lost twin brotha
Rejoice? You have read his other posts, haven’t you?
ya, and . . . well, you’ve read enough of MINE too haven’t you? 
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Rejoice? You have read his other posts, haven’t you?
And you want to go fishing with me on thin ice? Make sure you bring your swimming trunks.
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Bravery and stupidity are often synonymous.
now, was that really necessary?
All, thanks for your comments. I’m not a frequent ice fishing guy and was interested in hearing from those that were. It sounds like that for the most part some have experienced some changes and others not. If everyone had said absolutely no changes; that would be one thing. While I think the science is indicating some changes, unless folks are seeing them – the possible causes of any change are hard to fathom. This likely ends up in the same drawer as Asian Carp- it might happen but might not – and if it does it is to late to try – and while trying might be futile – I guess it’s a matter of opinion as to do nothing, accept the things we can not change or try to change.
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now, was that really necessary?
I think he was referring to Pug.
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