Safe ice for 17′ Ice Castle by Dec 18th?

Want to go on an icefishing trip the weekend of Dec. 18th.

Will we be able to use my friends 17′ foot, single axle, Ice Castle and want to do a trip up North to Red, Mille Lacs, Winnie, or wherever.

I haven’t really icefished in about 20 years or kept track of good ice.

Historically is there enough safe ice to fish this shack on any of said lakes by the weekend of Dec. 18th?

It seems like the last few years by that time your Best bet will be red lake and pulled by a wheeler probably through a resort for a small fee. Few years ago we drove 1/2 tons out by that weekend but this fall has been much different. That being said it happens pretty fast up there and just hope for no snow.

Doubtful on Mille lacs.

rjohnson8404 wrote:

It seems like the last few years by that time your Best bet will be red lake and pulled by a wheeler probably through a resort for a small fee. Few years ago we drove 1/2 tons out by that weekend but this fall has been much different. That being said it happens pretty fast up there and just hope for no snow.

Interesting. Ok.

So, to get off the ice you just call the resort that pulled you back out and they send an ATV to pull you back in?

So, do you just ride inside the iceshack then?

3 years ago I was on Red in my 16 footer pulling with my truck, last two years have been almost a month later. Is it possible, yes…but you may be pulling it out with a wheeler.

usmarine0352 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>rjohnson8404 wrote:</div>
It seems like the last few years by that time your Best bet will be red lake and pulled by a wheeler probably through a resort for a small fee. Few years ago we drove 1/2 tons out by that weekend but this fall has been much different. That being said it happens pretty fast up there and just hope for no snow.

Interesting. Ok.

So, to get off the ice you just call the resort that pulled you back out and they send an ATV to pull you back in?

So, do you just ride inside the iceshack then?

No you bring your own wheeler

It’s always possible, but I would guess there is little to no chance this year that you’ll be out with it that weekend.

It’s POSSIBLE, most likely on Red.

Red freezes quickly but it will have to get cold, stay cold, and not have any real snow to speak of for it to be likely.

Hard to say at this point, but so far fall hasn’t been very conducive to making ice yet this year.

If you do get it out it would most likely be pulling it with a wheeler like others have said.

Right about now I’m wondering if there will even be safe walkable ice by that date. Although I do finally see some cooler temps for the Red lake area starting next weekend. This is Minnesota so things can really change fast.

So, to get off the ice you just call the resort that pulled you back out and they send an ATV to pull you back in?

So, do you just ride inside the iceshack then?

No you bring your own wheeler
[/quote]

Is there any resorts that would/have pulled people’s shacks out there with their wheelers if you pay them?

usmarine0352 wrote:

So, to get off the ice you just call the resort that pulled you back out and they send an ATV to pull you back in?

So, do you just ride inside the iceshack then?

No you bring your own wheeler

Is there any resorts that would/have pulled people’s shacks out there with their wheelers if you pay them?

[/quote]

I think most will pull your house out with their wheeler. I think the previous poster meant you ride out on your own wheeler when they pull your wheelhouse out. I’d guess most resorts would be able to give you a ride out on a trailer or something also if needed, I imagine for a little more money yet.

curleytail wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>usmarine0352 wrote:</div>
So, to get off the ice you just call the resort that pulled you back out and they send an ATV to pull you back in?

So, do you just ride inside the iceshack then?

No you bring your own wheeler

Is there any resorts that would/have pulled people’s shacks out there with their wheelers if you pay them?

I think most will pull your house out with their wheeler. I think the previous poster meant you ride out on your own wheeler when they pull your wheelhouse out. I’d guess most resorts would be able to give you a ride out on a trailer or something also if needed, I imagine for a little more money yet.
[/quote]

Cool.

I wonder if there is anyone who has experience with a resort doing this and what resort it is.

Rodgers on Red has small Suzuki Samuri’s with tow dollies they will pull you out with for a fee, call them. Also you can camp on shore and bring the portables if the ice is not ready, lots of people do that. Jr’s has a back lot for campers.

bigcrappie wrote:

Rodgers on Red has small Suzuki Samuri’s with tow dollies they will pull you out with for a fee, call them. Also you can camp on shore and bring the portables if the ice is not ready, lots of people do that. Jr’s has a back lot for campers.

Thanks!

So they pull the house out…..how do you get out there?

I think it’s gonna be pretty hard to get it out that early. Even on red. I don’t think last year they were using bigger shacks that early if I remember correctly. And early season on red you better plan on dealing with ALOT of people just a heads up

Coletrain27 wrote:

I think it’s gonna be pretty hard to get it out that early. Even on red. I don’t think last year they were using bigger shacks that early if I remember correctly. And early season on red you better plan on dealing with ALOT of people just a heads up

Thanks.

I don’t mind being crowded, once I get into the shack I don’t leave.

Reds your best bet. These resorts are all on google and Facebook. So they are easy to follow to watch the ice and see how the ice is setting up. The first two are your best bet for pulling you out there. Worth a call as we get closer to that time.

Rogers
JRs
West Winds
Morts Dock

It doesn’t take too long for ice to add up fast on Red. Once it locks up it goes fast with the right weather. I’d say there’s still a very good possibility to be out by the date you have in question. Heck it’s 5 weeks away yet.

My Guage is walking ice by wi gun opener or thanksgiving in Northern wi. Common the last few years. Not happening this year.

Most lakes I drove by in the range north of Duluth were starting to freeze over, most ponds were.

I’m still hoping to break ice with the boat after work this week up here somewhere.

Driving home from duluth today alot of smaller waters and hood sized ponds were completely or close to being iced up.