Hayward, WI Area Ice Conditions

Hey guys, we have a group of guys heading up north next monday through wednesday for spring break. Just wondering what the ice looks like. With the warm weather predicted around here, I think we’ll be out of ice soon and was hoping to atleast have decent ice next week, otherwise all we will be catching is a buzz.

I just got back from a weekend around the Cable area. There was about 20″ of ice but the issue was the 6-12″ of new snow sitting on top of 6″ of slush and water under it. Even the snowmobiles were having trouble by the time we left today. The ice also seemed a bit soft but never saw less than the 20″ or so. Walking around was tough. Nearly every step went through the snow and slush layer. Snowshoes helped but still had trouble. Shoveling an area filled in like a pond. It was still doable but make sure to have knee high waterproof or rubber boots.

TTT

Any changes after this warm spell?

We were up ther saturday and it was very tough going to say the least. If you go bring a 4 wheeler. We had 4-6 inches of slush then a thin layer of ice with 4 inches of slush / water before you got to the main ice pack.

Be careful and make sure you get home safe.

I was able to spend a little bit of time on the lake ice Sunday p.m. I am a bit to the east of ya and usually Hayward will get a bit warmer faster… that said I was on three lakes yesterday, the first 2″-3″ of crust, then ankle deep water/slush and the main ice. Talked with a couple of guys at the landing and they told me that the original ice is plenty thick, which leads me to believe the regular icepack is at 14″-16″ under the crud. I also did hear that water was running down the holes so hopefully some time during this week we will get drier ice. Unfortunately when that happens, the ice will have started the honeycomb/candling process which weakens the ice.

The last lake I fished if it looked wet, it was with 6″ of slush. I did find a little bit of crust to set the Vex on, but really didn’t accomplish much in the fish catching end of things.

I will be out during the week and will try to update as I can.

Mark

Thanks Mark for your up date. I’m hoping to get out this weekend. Mike

Mike:

I will stay as up to date as I can… Lots of basketball this weekend as well, but you can only late ice fish while there is ice and it might not be so good next week…

That said I did not get out last night, figured I would fish in the sunshine, even though it was plenty warm enough, there was a decent wind last night. Still kind of waiting for the water to run through.

Mark

We were in Iron River, 50 mi north of Hayward last night, over half inch of rain, temps in the 50’s snow is almost gone, the snowmobile trails are closed. Fished in Barnes/Gordon area on the lower Eau Claire Lake crappies are hitting. Ice approx 18″. Temps are supposed to be in 60’s for the next week.

eastchannel:

How was the water on the top of the ice???

Mark