Ice Reports

[Surface Tension]

I awoke to 10 degrees this morning and a frozen lake.

Long Lake in Twig has a sheet of ice encompassing the whole lake. Grand Lake should be froze over also with Fish & Rice lake not far behind.

It won't be long now.

With the ice report a reminder to tell kids to stay off any ice. That includes that pond in the back yard.

[ripstick]

I remember about 5 yrs ago fishing a good part of the day on this same day.

[finnbay]

We had 7 degrees when I got up to put the turkey in this morning. Birch Lake near Babbitt is iced about half way across. Until I left for college (early 70's) one of our Thanksgiving traditions was to skate all around the shoreline of the lake I grew up on.

[finnbay]

Whoa - rest of the lake froze over as we watched this morning!

[Northlander]

Ya just a few years ago, maybe 3 or 4 , we were on Fish 1 year and another little lake the following year. 3-4" of ice. I bet we could be on ice in some bays but I will wait to check until Monday.

Maybe some shallow tip ups for eyes and pike.

Frank do ya think Lake 0 will be frozen enough for some tip up action by Monday?

I hope we get cold nights for a while. Need good ice for Fish Lake on the 8th.

[Surface Tension]

Pike Lake is one of the last to freeze around here and was still open today. Steve don't know about that lake, might be iffy. Probably a better chance to get on Grand. I'll be out testing it in a few days.

[ripstick]

We have the temps all we need is no darn wind.

[Big Country]

Took the lab for a jog down to Grand this morning @ 9am. Whole lake has ice on it. There are some scary stress fractures at the Mcgregor landing. With these temps. it won't be long, however, it's still too early. Don't be a bobber BC

[finnbay]

Just checked the west end of Birch Lake. Three inches of ice next to shore, and three blockheads out in the middle fishing!

[fishermn]

Rice was iced in solid yesterday morning. Didnt check thickness, but it looked like more than just skim ice...

[Capt.Blaine]

A friend of mine just called and said he measured 2 inches on Rice just a few feet out from the landing.

[upnorth]

Quote:

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Three inches of ice next to shore, and three blockheads out in the middle fishing!

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Usually works out to to more oxygen for the rest of us J/K

[Surface Tension]

A lot of lakes had shore ice is hanging around before they froze over completely. Northlanders report on Fish lake is typical for the bigger lakes. These lakes don't freeze over all at once so Ice thickness will vary once they do. Could have 4" in one place and 1" in another. After checking the forecast, temps now - mid week won't be good for making ice but later on looks promising. Dec. 8th First Ice Event should be good for foot travel. We'll see.

[Northlander]

Im thinking we may have to push the Fish Lake evnt back to the following weekend if we dont get some really cold nights. I really doubt wheelers will be doable by the 8th.

[Surface Tension]

Its going to get below zero at night mid week.

[Nate McVey]

One more warm day tomorrow and then the temperatures drop off. As long as the wind stays down we may be ok.

[Big Walleye 58]

Did some driving around today and found Fish lake completely covered with ice but Island completely open as far as you could see on both sides of the bridge.

[ripstick]

Have faith grasshoppers. Have cold and the ice will come.

[Quickstrike]

found 3 inches in one spot today and 4 in another, i'll be out tommorrow!

[Northlander]

Kent what lake?

[Quickstrike]

A back bay on island and a private lake. Boulder was also completely locked in, but I didn't stop to check the thickness, I'll probally check it out tommorrow.

[Surface Tension]

Long and Grand lake has 2" of ice.

[Northlander]

Ill be trying out Fish after work today.

[Steve Foss]

One to three inches on small lakes like One Pine and Robinson up here, with reports that Vermilion is now iced all the way over. Shagawa is iced over everywhere I can see the lake from my upstairs windows.

After today, the bottom is dropping out of our temps. We've got one more day in the 20s, then lows will hover around zero with highs in the teens all week. It'll be full speed ahead walking out by week's end. With any luck at all I'll be out there trying it by Thursday.

[fishermn]

Pike is partially covered as of this afternoon. Looks like the next week or so should be good for making ice!

[Northlander]

I checked Fish lake and found about 2-3" in areas and in some less than a inch so I dont recomend trying Fish lake for at least a few cold nights and probably not til weeks end.

Wild Rice was locked and I saw 1 guy walking alone out by the middle. Not smart in my opinion. This time of year the ice isnt consistant and whats 3-4" in 1 area can be less than a inch just a few feet away. Be smart and be careful and live to fish another day.

If you have to go out at least have ice picks, life vest and a partner with some rope is a very very good idea.

[ripstick]

aHey NL better idea wait a week it cant hurt.

[Nate McVey]

I agree, the fish will still be there in a few more days. Be safe, go with a friend and travel light!

[Steve Foss]

Nate, the lightest I could travel would be 250, and then I'd be naked! Bad deal!

[finnbay]

The ice on Birch Lake was sure "singing" last night. Love that sound!