Ice?

Hey everyone, I am out in D.C. for work. It is killing me looking at the forecast wondering if you guys are on the ice at home. Would somone plese post a report on ice conditions and the bite. Thanks Joe

Hey Joe,

I haven’t been able to make a road trip yet, but will post my findings soon. In town, Foster Arends is iced over and Silver Lake even has ice. Sure is cold compared to what we’ve gotten used to!
Hope you are able to have some fun while in DC! I’ve been there once and enjoyed the sites.

Good Fishing,
Mike

Hi, I was down to Wilcox, West Newton, and 2nd Lake on the Finger Lakes to test ice. All ares are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick on the shore lines. It is supposed to be 40 tomorrow with rain. Does that tell you something? JJ

We did a little tour around here today…..Sunday there was almost NO ice, but today everything but the main channel is frozen over (even the back channels). Never found any ice that was completely walkable yet (even for me, Mike ).

there were a couple guys fishing off the docks at the MN City Boat Club.

Hey Jake, Wheres the pic of you popping your head out of an ice hole that you posted awhile back ago. Would be a great pic for the ice fishing season.
Thanks, Bill

You guys are great. Thinking of not being on first ice is making me go crazy.

The reports of ice on area lakes sounds great. But please remember that the lakes are just starting to have ice form on them which means that only maybe an inch so far at most so the lakes are NOT safe yet to walk on. We don’t want to hear of anyone falling through. When the ice is thicker, like 4 inches or more then it may be safe. Also please remember that ice doesn’t form evenly through out a lake so there could be x number of thickness in one part and only half that thickness in another part. Not trying to be a party pooper here, I just want everyone to be safe and alive. That way we all enjoy our ice fishing season and can share reports and good news instead of reporting someone falling through the ice. May you all have a great ice fishing season and please feel free to share your fishing experiences here. Even if your trip finds slow action please feel free to share it as we all learn by everyones sharing and not every trip out fishing is going to be a hot bite. Thats why they call it fishing and not catching. Either way its fun to be out fishing. Thanks, Bill

Yes, even though I kid Bill about going out on thin ice, I still play it safe. The use of a ice spud bar to check ahead of you as you walk on ice is one of the best safety actions you can make. Don’t go alone on thin ice! Take safety picks just in case you break through. And lastly, don’t ever forget that ice conditions can change rapidly!

I hope everyone has a great ice fishing season!

Good Fishing,
Mike

As a follow up to Mikes post, a PFD isn’t a bad idea either….also carry about 50′ of rope w/ a plastic jug which has a little sand in it (for weight). In the event someone else go’s thru – you can throw the rope/and jug to
them – while you stay where its solid.

UG

Saw quite a few people on the ice today near Kellogg/Wabasha. Be careful if you decide to go out!

Good Fishing,
Mike

Mike when and if we finally get to go, will you please be my point man? It would only be the polite thing to let you go first.

Sure Ron, just because I weigh about twice as much as you…