I did some scouting today in Sawyer County and it looks like getting around is going to be pretty tough. One landing I checked would go from bare ice to 8″ of slush to 15″ of snow in less than 75 yards. I would be leery about going out even with a sled unless I had a few guys and machines to help if someone got bogged down in snow or slush.
Anyone been out and can comment on what they are finding?
In Bayfield county pretty much the same. Last time I was on the ice there was a lot of slush and that was before the additional 4 inches of new snow. Snowmobile trails I believed opened yesterday and I have not seen any snowmobiles on the lake. Think conditions are pretty bad still.
Checked the landings around the Balsam Lake area, looks like foot traffic on most lakes, some lakes not even that. couple had a lot of slush in the tracks going out..
I’m fishing now at my cabin near Spooner. Probably 6 inches or so of ice but two slush layers on top. Wet sloppy walking. Rubber boots a must.
That might as well be mars compared to down here in the metro, it always amazes me the difference even a few hours makes. Good luck!
On a mid-sized lake in Polk County – yesterday.
There was a slush line that extended from the shoreline (private cabin – so first time accessed) out about 50 – 75 feet. That slush was over ankle deep in area as we walked back and forth across it. We ran into a small slush pocket out further too, but most of the lake was slush free.
Snow was a little under 1 foot.
Crappies and pannies bit well in the late afternoon and early evening. Bite was extremely subtle most of the time.
I just went out today to check the ice and slush conditions. I live on a lake in Bayfield Wisconsin. Just about got stuck with all the slush. Some areas ok and other areas not so. There was about 2 inches of ice then 2 inches of water then another 2 inches of ice and 3-4 inches of water then about 14 inches of ice. Some areas had snow cover and all slush with about 6 inches of water under the snow. I have a SXS with tracks and I was lucky to get it off the lake. Even where I originally went out on the ice I saw no slush but coming back the tracks in the snow were filled with water. Plenty of ice but the slush is a killer for getting around. Looks like another bad year for getting around on the lake again.
Was out yesterday on a large lake near Spooner. No slush but very rough ice/snow drifts. Had about 8″ of ice. 6″ of good hard ice then 2-3″ of frozen slush. Looks like another storm coming this week which is going to make it miserable getting around.
With another 8” of wet snow on top of all the snow and slush on the lake, looks like this is going to be a bad year for ice fishing. We really didn’t need this last snow.
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