I went and checked the ice on a couple inner city lakes today that are shallow, and freeze 1st every year.
We currently have about 2 1/2″ of ice with the top 1/3 of the ice rotten, or in poor condition. It looks like some of the lakes will be fishable using extreme caution next weekend. Keep in mind this is on shallow, smaller lakes. The large deep lakes might be a couple weeks. No fish is worth taking a swim for!
I havent made it back out to check the ice. I seen Calhoun FINALY froze over on 12/6, the northern 1/3 of the lake was open as of 12/5.. this lake takes a while to thicken, stay off it for a while guys. Harriet was also open 2 days ago partially, I have to assume it froze up the same day as Calhoun with the weather. The Channel between Calhoun and Isles looks nasty, there was a large slushy spot on 12/6.
It looks like it could be as much as 2 weeks if the warmer weather comes as forecasted this weekend. I will post if anything changes. I would expect to see someone on Lake of the Isles before the rest… I havent checked the ice, maybe tomorrow.
I know there are many waiting to get out.. but these lakes are not ready. If you have to drill a hole, head north. Its not worth going swimming.
West end of Minnetonka is good to go for walking. Checked several spots last night (good exercise) and saw a couple of portables out on midwater structure as well. At least 4″ everywhere I checked but with the snow there might still be soft spots. Doing some actual fishing today.
How was the fishing Stan?? I need something to do tomorrow. The weather man scared me from going to Red Wing.
The phrase *Mid Lake Structure* and 4″ of ice dont mix with me this year. Where I have been making it out the last few days, I have found the ice varies from 3 1/2″(thin spot I found last night), to almost 7″ on one metro body of water. I wont name the lake quite yet beause I dont want to be responsible for anyone swimming. I have managed some small(and some very small) walleys for my efforts.
I hope to hit a different inner metro lake later this afternoon if the ice is satistfactory(4″ or over) and see what I can jig up.
The area I had been fishing is only 30′ from shore.. no cross country walking for this guy quite yet.. I dont care what someone else is catching, I am not raising the risk of swimming to any more than a minimum.
Two nice fat northerns on tipups and a bazillion small perch and sunnies. Probably about a dozen keeper sized sunnies but it was fun anyway. Couldn’t stay out for walleyes. Dave I’m with you but these guys where way out. Saw a permanent go by towed by an ATV and I had 3″ of ice under me tops and ended up with 2″ of water on the ice before I left. Haven’t heard of anyone taking the chilly dip yet but the ice conditions call for some caution. I found 6″ of ice and within 20yds it was about 2″.
People are crazy.. its that simple. A permanent behind an ATV on 3″ ??
Is there really anything in the laws of physics or common sense to justify that… no.
I have a cell.. I’ll call 911 for them.
They probably walked out to that *mid lake structure* and had 5″ of ice in that spot and thought they were good to go.. of course that 1/2 mile from the access to there had to be the same.. sure its *safe* 
No they didn’t walk and to make it better they had to run through a channel area to get out to the midlake stuff. Here’s the best part. They parked their truck on the ice. When I left the ice had settled on the bottome and the tires where 3 or 4″ deep in water. If those guys stayed out long enough the tires had to freeze up. Hope they brought a chisel.
No worries, I’m sure they felt their vehicle was un-stoppable because it had a really big motor and 4 wheel drive.
Anyone been sighted in Excelsior bay running around for flags yet?
Anyone hit Tonka over the weekend????
Had to finish Christmas shopping so no. Didn’t see any portables out there either. Should get out Tues and Wed.
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