Lake recommendation for this weekend

Guys,

Was supposed to be heading up to Winni area this weekend but plans might be changing. Have family coming into town and want to take the in-laws and nephews out. Anyone know of safe ice within in an hour or so of the Hudson, WI area?

I was thinking maybe up to Bone, Big Round, Wapogasset, Balsam etc but I don’t have time to make a recon trip up tomorrow just to confirm safe ice.

Not looking for your hot spots, just ice reports or suggestions for anyone that’s been out in the last week.

Thanks!

I was on Balsam on Sunday evening. Probably over 15″ of ice. Shoreline was a little sketchy looking, but no issue walking on. I wouldn’t think it would have completely deteriorated over the week. Didn’t do any good on the fish catching part though, so can’t help you out there.

My buddy on Pine lake outta Luck will send me an ice report once he arrives to the cabin later today. I’m sure Saturday will be fishable up that way. I’ll let you know what I hear. Winter Buddy and I talked about heading over to fish after lunch Sat.

Nearly all of the ice in Alexandria is good for ATV travel or walking. I have checked certain lakes I would have no problem driving a truck on yet.

Any lakes with large amounts of moving or incoming water of course will be walking only. Good luck.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I believe we’re going to try and stay on the WI side if this happens as everyone involved already has WI licenses. One less thing to grab last minute.

From what I’m finding online, it seems most spots north of Hwy 8 in WI are holding up fairly well. At least for foot traffic.

15 inches on big round today

Outdraft wrote:

15 inches on big round today

Thanks for the update, Outdraft.

How was the bite? Worth taking a couple barely teenagers out?

From the people I talked to and with what I caught it was bad, mostly tiny perch, some northern action on tip ups, but I was told the crappie bite towards evening and after dark can be good. Need a wheeler or walk, oh ya definitely need ice cleats, only small patches of snow on the ice

appreciate the feedback!

Your welcome, no problem

I’m stuck in the metro and may just get my open water panfish gear out and fish from shore on open water on Tonka. Had to cancel a Mille Lacs trip last weekend! Was very frustrated.

Ice is supposedly still good on Cross near Pine City-Also Little Jims Bait by Clearwater says lakes up that way still have good ice, call for specifics.
This time of year the near shore ice is bad but if you can get out you are Ok
(least thats what I tell myself)

Just wanted to come back and report…nice day on the ice. Slow fishing. Hit Half Moon and Bear Trap. Plenty of ice! Fish few and far between though and when you were marking them, picky.

Anyway for anyone looking to get out, you still have some fleeting days. Go get’em!

Thanks for the update, it’s to bad you didn’t get into the fish but at least you got out and enjoyed the day