Where are you going? Staying local? Headed north?
I’m kicking around the idea of taking a few days off and just snaking my way towards fish-able ice, wherever that may be. Otherwise I’ll probably schedule an early LOW trip!
Joel
I’m thinking early ice up on LOTW. My hope would be to set up the wheel house in the bay as a base camp, and drag the 4 wheeler and portables out to fishable water.
Anyone have a prediction when we might see ice think enough for LOW?
1st ice Dec 17th
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I’m thinking early ice up on LOTW. My hope would be to set up the wheel house in the bay as a base camp, and bring drag the 4 wheeler and portables out to fishable water.
Anyone have a prediction when we might see ice think enough for LOW?
Christmas break has always been a good “safe” date for getting to a bunch of places all over the lake. However, sometimes they’re just getting that trail north staked at that point.
Love the base-camp idea and striking out from there to find gold!
Joel
first trip will probably be on some local backwaters of the wisconsin river around stevens point then weekend trips up to the cabin to fish oneida/vilas counties. 
Right here in Duluth baby!! early ice is my absolute favorite time to catch big walleyes!
I am gonna burn alot of gas this winter….. IGL, LOW, Lacs, devils, waubay, and lake thompson. maybe chamberlain if i get a chance.
Starting the day after thanksgiving Ill be hitting up some “sloughs” after some perch and the occasional walter. Then around the first or second weekend in December it will be all devils lake for me! Occasional trip to the Willmar/Spicer area to fish when I have to visit the in-laws.
My fist crack at ice is usually after the 1st of the year down here in SW Wi…
but I will have my eye on a good trip north again this year.. 
Hopefully first half of Dec. 2″ of clear ice and I am catching gills. Around here and NE Wi.
I have never been on a ice fishing trip, but during winter break im heading up to gull lake! cant wait!
If everything works out, I’ll be near Fergus Falls on Dec 3. We usually go the day after turkey day, but I’ll be in Belize, and the wife probably won’t let me leave early to hit the ice.
right about first ice…mmm…does the ice in my Capt. Morgan Dt. Coke count?
As it stands Mille Lacs or Waubay area, then Mobridge. Gas is priced right.
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right about first ice…mmm…does the ice in my Capt. Morgan Dt. Coke count?
As it stands Mille Lacs or Waubay area, then Mobridge. Gas is priced right.
Shoot me your itineray when you get a chance so I can plan mine not to conflict….
My first time on ice will hopefully be the weekend after Thanksgiving in a little bay on Farm Island up near Aitkin where I have a great drop off with some sunken brush less than 100′ from shore.
Early December I plan on hitting my walking spots on Mille Lacs. Then between Christmas and New Years over my holiday break I’ll be heading as far north as it takes to really start hunting the big gals 
Ill be out in the detroit lakes area 1st ice getting the kinks out of all my gear. Then after the 1st of the year I should be up at LOW once or twice.
It wont be long!!
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Where are you going? Staying local? Headed north?
I’m kicking around the idea of taking a few days off and just snaking my way towards fish-able ice, wherever that may be. Otherwise I’ll probably schedule an early LOW trip!
Joel
Tying up my one man Otter Pro to your slead and hitching a ride !! 
LOW 2nd weekend of Dec is fairly safe bet. And the bite is lights out shallow… Should be interesting to see how far east this years el nino will cover. Hopefully western North Dakota is the far edge. Another warm winter would sux…
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20121018_winteroutlook.html
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right about first ice…mmm…does the ice in my Capt. Morgan Dt. Coke count?
As it stands Mille Lacs or Waubay area, then Mobridge. Gas is priced right.
oh yeah, forgot to see when you might be heading up with Doug, might have to make a group trip. One of my buddies, Dave Isom, was telling me about the group trip to LOW sponsored by z98 every winter. I am getting details about it from Rob Powers @ z98, just curious if you would be heading up there for that?
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Right here in Duluth baby!! early ice is my absolute favorite time to catch big walleyes!
Grant, what’s your prediction for 1st ice up there. Just watched you and James on first ice last year. Some nice walleyes.
Heading out to Eden with some friends in early December. After being there last year about the same time, I assume my arms will get sore! It’s a well planned trip that can’t get much easier!!mor much more fun!!
probably hit the small lake we live on.
but just dying to go to mille lacs too, which is an hour away for me.
But even more amped up for our LOTW trip first weekend of the new year!
Hotel room is booked on Mille lacs December 13 to the 16! Hopefully there’s ice, and hopefully I can find some of those big perch and crappies!
Local. As far north as a lake by Pine City, as far west as Lake Sarah, otherwise somewhere in the 7 county metro area.
I hope to explore the early ice locally to as far as Alex or Mille lac’s depending on how the ice comes in. Jan 2 the truck’s heading to Greenback land for hawgs!!
First out this year will be local around my south central area here in WI but the first actual trip will be day after Christmas up to Gogebic again. Haven’t planned beyond that yet. Plenty of local lakes to hit again this year.
I’ll be spending a couple days mid December on Rainy with Chris. 
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I’ll be spending a couple days mid December on Rainy with Chris.
That seems like a No-Brainer decision. 
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Right here in Duluth baby!! early ice is my absolute favorite time to catch big walleyes!
Grant, what’s your prediction for 1st ice up there. Just watched you and James on first ice last year. Some nice walleyes.
I sure hope by thanksgiving! It all depends on the winds, with Lake Superior right next door, the weather is unpredictable. Last year it was a week after thanksgiving if i recall, we had the right water temps, but the winds etc never allowed it to freeze.
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I’ll be spending a couple days mid December on Rainy with Chris.
That seems like a No-Brainer decision.
Agreed.
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