Driveable Ice?

[Fisherman20]

I was out on Madison lake the other night and saw several full sized pickup trucks driving on the lake. Does anybody know about any other local area lakes around the mankato area that is good and safe driveable ice? Is the ice even thick enough to drive on yet? Im in search of trying to find some fish and I dont have a wheeler or snowmobile and thinking my truck will be the last resort to get around with and find some fish. Is it worth the risk or do I wait a little while longer yet for a good deep freeze? any input on this would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Matt C]

I would highly suggest waiting. Its definitely NOT worth the risk. I have seen 14 inches of ice around, but its half and half white and black.

If you do venture out in a truck, check the ice before you go by drilling holes and measuring. Ice can be 18" in one spot and only 5" 10 feet away...

[riverrat56]

Wait. The rain did a number on the slush, sounds like everything froze up, cold forcast coming up. Looks like we should be making some good ice soon.

[mosquitoman]

the lake i was on today had about 11" of ice 4 of which was forzen slush. the lake was very loud cracking non stop making ice. give it a week and you will not have to worry about finding a parking spot at the landings anymore!

[luckycrank]

s long as the walking is as easy next week as it was this weeked i'll be walking there is 12" of ice in most places i was this weekend but 8of ten of which is frozen slush and not real strong. I'll personally wait till about 16-18"

[hawkeye43]

With all the trucks driving out today on tetonka, There will be someone going down before next weekend. Sad to say. This white ice is the poorest ice there is. There are places where there is still snow yet, the ice under that is 5"to6". Are the fish worth it ???

[no bait nate]

Saw multiple trucks out on the ice this afternoon on Mazaska. Some were even daring enough to be pulling wheelhouses with their trucks. Didn't seem like a great idea as there was only 9 inches of ice where I was fishing and about 6 5 of that was white ice.

[Rippinlip]

Hey Nate,

Has anyone made it over to the North bar yet?

Is there any areas to worry about with the wheeler?

I have a few spots I would like to hit up and would like to take the wheeler over there.

[Matt C]

Hey Nate,

Has anyone made it over to the North bar yet?

Is there any areas to worry about with the wheeler?

I have a few spots I would like to hit up and would like to take the wheeler over there.

Your fine and dandy on the wheeler.

[no bait nate]

Hey Nate,

Has anyone made it over to the North bar yet?

Is there any areas to worry about with the wheeler?

I have a few spots I would like to hit up and would like to take the wheeler over there.

Made it there and back a few times now. the ice isn't that great over there but fine for a wheeler to the deep spots. I've walked farther from there. just check as you go if ya get over there, i'm sure this cold weather is helping quite a bit.

[Fisherman20]

i went out on german lake and madison the last few days and just started driving out a few days ago.i drive a ford ranger so its not a full size pick up. gave it a try and the ice never even cracked at all. howwever it was making ice all day long.

[Reid G]

Anyone navigated the ice on East Jefferson recently?

[Fisherman20]

I was just out there the other day fishing panfish. The ice was about 12 inches where i was. half black and half white. You will be fine with a full size pickup but stay away from the channel area and the few thin ice signs they have posted near the far end of the lake where the dnr were taking out carp jsut a few days ago.