Current Ice Conditions

[shamrock7]

For those curious, the snow is gone off the lake. The snowmobile club has been busy picking up trail markers. The water stabilized last night in the central part of the lake. We drilled holes yesterday to help drain the excess water off the ice. Had really neat wave action going all across the bay. Travel will be limited to 4 wheelers unless it warms up and softens the ice enough to lube the slides on snowmobiles. Watch the landings and where any water enters the lake as these areas may be dangerous. Truck went thru Lake Bemidji I hear from another FM'er. Fire season right around the corner. Be careful out there.

[shamrock7]

Forgot to mention that the auger is just getting thru the ice on the road. So you should not need an extension if you are planning on going out and doing come fishing.

[wh1stler]

Thanks for the update. Any news about Elbow Lake specifically?

wh1stler

[Cliff Wagenbach]

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Thanks for the update. Any news about Elbow Lake specifically?

wh1stler

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Most of the area lakes that I have been on are in about the same condition.

Cliff

[Ranckenstuff]

Shamrock7,

Can you post a picture of the new fire boat?

[heartattack22]

Here are some pics of the boat.

[Ranckenstuff]

Wow and thanks ht22

ps the humminbird looks sweet along with the gps setup

[heartattack22]

Yea. It actually has the moving map GPS integrated with the radar. So we just have to look at one screen now and the images are combined. It will be nice when the water gets soft again so we can get it in the water. Will be a very valuable piece of equipment for the lake.

[vermilionfox]

heartattack22,

What motor does that have on it?

I'll have to swing by and see if I can see it in person when I'm up in June! Awesome boat!

[heartattack22]

It has twin 250 Evinrude Etec's. and a 220 HP mercruiser as the fire pump engine.

[PSU]

Any updates on the ice? Are cars still driving? JKrash, any pictures?

Thanks

[Tundra]

Trout Lake skips this weekend??? Is the river opened up?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

There is still plenty of solid ice.

You may have to watch the landings though.

Cliff

[mbeyer]

I usually guess late on the "ICE OUT" contest. I'm at May 6th.....how do I look????

[Cliff Wagenbach]

May,6th will probably be late this year if the current conditions hold.

Cliff

[shamrock7]

Still hardly any water at the river. Good water at the Frog in Oak Narrows but not at Trout River. Could probably skip a 4 wheeler there now. Flew over the river at about 1:30 this afternoon and there was hardly anyone there.

[vermilionwally]

How thick is that ice now after this warm streak? Im hoping in doesnt go out too early so we can fish in our usual spring spots.

[shamrock7]

Was out for a while this afternoon. Looks like about 30" of ice right now. From the looks of the beaver pond on the end of Daisy bay, I would have to guess we have about 3 weeks for ice out. I will give you a better estimate when the ice clears off that pond as Vermilion will clear 10 days after that. (Usually) Now that I have given my secret for determining ice out, something is going to happen and I will be way wrong.

[guideman]

Water is roaring over the Pike river dam, so Pike bay should open up by Easter. Ice out looks like it will happen around the 3rd week in April, by what I see now. The ice out date has been April 16th the last 2 years and I see no reason why it should be much later than that this year. Unless the weather takes a big turn in the coming days.

"Ace"

[PSU]

Did the Vermilion area get much of the rain that the Twin Cities received this weekend?

Thanks

[heartattack22]

The rain guage as of this morning had 1/2 inch in it...

[Cliff Wagenbach]

It has been raining fairly steady in the Tower area since Friday. We still need a lot more!

Cliff

[shamrock7]

6" of snow in the forecast. Guess I won't be putting any boats in the water this week.

[PortageBay]

BOO! (Maybe next week?)

[vermilionwally]

Its been raining steadily here too since friday.

[guideman]

The local forecast is for 3 to 6 inches of snow starting late on Tuesday night, and then below normal temps for about a week. Looks like the ice will be around for a little while longer than we all had hoped it would be. We really need the precip, so it's not all bad I guess. Before you now it we'll have open water and the fish will be biting and we won't even remember that winter was here.

"Ace"

[shamrock7]

I have a snowmobile if you want to get across Bob. Still ok for machines as long as you pay attention to where you are at and where you are going.

[SledNeck]

Ice out will be a little bit delayed this year looks like.

[upnorth]

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Ice out will be a little bit delayed this year looks like.

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I think we are making ice again up here. Been pretty dang cold

[shamrock7]

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Was out for a while this afternoon. Looks like about 30" of ice right now. From the looks of the beaver pond on the end of Daisy bay, I would have to guess we have about 3 weeks for ice out. I will give you a better estimate when the ice clears off that pond as Vermilion will clear 10 days after that. (Usually) Now that I have given my secret for determining ice out, something is going to happen and I will be way wrong.

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Well, that something has happened. 2 additional weeks of winter so add another 2 weeks to my earlier prediction. Heck, if it keeps up like this much longer, we may be looking at ice till opening. Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't need that kinda headache They are even talking about another possible snow storm mid week.