I have been hearing from those I have been talking to that all “winter reports” they have heard say we are to expect a warm winter. That does not bode well for us die-hard ice fisherman. What have you heard and what are your thoughts about this year’s ice potential? Last year was quite depressing… I am hoping to not have a repeat.
Well, I don’t really know what to expect this year. We should have been a lot colder by now. I guess I will keep the boat out for another week to see how the weather goes. They are calling for colder temps later this week. Right now we have rain, fog, and fairly warm temps in the LAX area. Good for trapping, but hell on ice building 
According to the forcast for Rochester, Mn after a high of 57 on Tuesday come Wednesday we will see highs in the 30s and 20s so the night temps should really be cold and start making some good solid ice. Brrrrrrrrrrrr
Thanks, Bill
All the lakes up here have ice. We still need cold weather to make the black ice that is the safest. Last year we were able to drive all over Winnie, which made ice fishing great. We have very little snow left on the ground but I would like to see at least a week of COLD weather before we get too much snow.
Well Ill take what ever mother nature will give us! hey if it stays warm we can keep fishing pool 4! 
if it gets cold i can throw a few more logs on the fire! and still fish pool 4! both in the boat and threw the ice on Pepin!
what ever way it go’s I just hope the fish stay on the chew!
I do know this i will be making a all night-er on the river tomorrow! wish me luck! 
i am planning on dec 8 to be fishing i dont care were im going as long as im ice fishing. this weeks weather after tues. is looking favorable. 
I would like to see a nice cold snap too. The pheasants were mocking me this last weekend as they stood on a 1/4″ of ice out in the cattails 
dd
According to the NWS,they still are predicting a warmer/drier than normal winter.All the way through early spring.Could be a winter with ok ice,but not much snow.Good creepers/spudbar are worth their weight in gold.
I prefer winters like last year when I can get my boat in the water. I do ice fish if that is my only option but I would much rather be able to fish on open water. There was ice in the backwaters down in the Guttenburg/Dubuque areas last year but after mid January it really wasn’t what I would call good ice. I’ve broken through bad ice twice and will never tread out on ice I am not sure of ever again.
Eyehunter
there is a lot of cold air to the north… if the jet stream breaks and lets it through its going to flash freeze us here.. and if snow stays off it… the ice will be great… Id say good ice this year… but nature is perverse… so with our luck.. it will start to freeze and the only snow of the winter will be 10 inches on the ice when its only 2-3 inches deep…. there goes your CLEAR ice for the year… and then when its a foot deep… BAM.. another 6-8 inches.. just to be a pain…. thats when ya know… mother nature hates ya….
but cheer up… boat fishing should be good all year!… if it stays warm pool 2 can be amazing… and seldom crowded…. and of course everyone knows what pool 4 can be….
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