Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

So when's it walkable...?


Stick in Mud

Recommended Posts

Given the forecast, it's looking like there'll potentially be some walkable ice pretty early this year. Any guesses on when the earliest pics hit the boards? I'm guessing someone will be out by this weekend. Maybe not here in the central part of the state, but the small, shallow lakes north of us just might have enough to tempt someone braver than I to venture forth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd say 2 weekends from now, the 22nd

I'll guess folks will be out this coming weekend, or within a couple days after. After looking at the forecast the next 14 days, I'd guess that most of the state will be fishable by the weekend of the 22nd/223rd and that's the target date I'm setting for my first outing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's probably wishful thinking, but if the forecast for the next two weeks is correct I may be hitting some shallow Mississippi River backwaters by Lacrosse or Winona the weekend of November 22.

I made it out on Lake Onalaska on November 30 of last year, and I know I ice-fished some shallow backwaters around Winona in late November a couple times in the 1990s and/or early 2000s, but I don't know that I was ever ice-fishing there as early as November 22.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a feeling we will start getting news about people falling through this coming weekend.... The earliest I ever went out was November 4th, on a little lake north of White Bear Lake after the Halloween Storm of '91.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got time off for Friday, November 21. Just in case. cool

My deer is in the freezer and my lawn and garden work is done, so I am ready for the ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And yes to the first reports of people falling in this weekend. smirk

The air temps are plummeting as we speak, and if the forecast is right they will stay low for a while, but it will take a few days for the water temps and ground temps to catch up. (Ground temps matter for ice-making, because ground temps effect water temps, most obviously at the shorline.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm hoping there might be an opportunity to hit the ice in the metro this weekend in a shallower lake. Single digit lows overnight and staying below freezing are going to do some great work over the next 5-10 days!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's to hoping we don get blasted with snow and allow some time for good ice to set up first! This would make all of us at HGS very happy!!! Be safe

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm hoping there might be an opportunity to hit the ice in the metro this weekend in a shallower lake.

Just dying to be in those reports of the first people falling through the ice that everyone else is talking about?

Good grief guys, it is a long winter, don't die in November!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Having fallen through myself in late ice, I definitely won't be the first one out there. But I had a few friends today send me pics of lakes that had skimmed over in the central MN area, so I'm guessing someone will be fishing--or swimming--this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my goal is still November 30th around my area. I have three different lakes in the area that will be the first lakes to freeze. I plan to make a scouting run in the next day or two and try and get some pics of these lakes. can't wait to get out for that first time again this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

My brother was up at the cabin deer hunting near Grand Marais and the hunting was not going good, so my brother and his friend decided to try some fishing thinking the lakes may still be open. They bought bait and headed out to one of favorite fall walleye lakes from shore. The found 2.5 inches of ice they did not fish because they brought the long rods.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, looks like folks'll be out up there. Hmm....there are some good little walleye lakes that aren't *that* far into the BWCA. smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lake Benton was froze over on Tuesday night as far as my eye could see. I will give it until Thursday and try it then. Might bring a friend along smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

full-2590-51017-chart_2.jpg

This is a safe ice chart from The US Army Corp of Engineers

I wait until a consistent 4 plus inches before I venture forth

Mwal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No way i'd drive my diesel truck on 9 inches!

Couple years ago out on Prior Lake I had 2, thats right 2, dually diesels one right behind the other drive with in 20 feet of my house. There might have been 10 inches, the ice bowed so much all my gear got wet from the water shooting up. Morans didnt go through though. No brains or Big kahunas? I'll pick no brains.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lake Okabena in Worthington was capped over this morning. There will be some ice fishing going on this weekend on some of the smaller stuff guaranteed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am guessing the "one person on foot" who can safely walk on 2" of ice weighs no more than 150 lbs.

With all my winter clothing and carrying fishing gear I probably weigh close to 270 lbs., so my minimum safe ice is 2.75", and that is new clear ice in perfect condition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3" for snowmobile not mine anyway. Up in ely yesterday. Went by robinson lake and there was a guy out there fishing. Why is the army corps so far of from the dnr.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Go out carefully drill and measure-2'' good, so the whole lake is 2''? Course not, and I don't feel like typing out the 10 or more variables that effect ice thickness, 4'' gives you some wiggle room

2'' does not IMO

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Think that chart is for objects in motion? ?

Yes I read on another site that said the measurements were for objects in motion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lake Benton was froze over on Tuesday night as far as my eye could see. I will give it until Thursday and try it then. Might bring a friend along smile

Not sure if your familiar with perch lake north of Ivanhoe but that was completely open last night. Tonight there's about an inch and a half in the bay south of the boat landing otherwise the rest of the lake was open.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am guessing the "one person on foot" who can safely walk on 2" of ice weighs no more than 150 lbs.

With all my winter clothing and carrying fishing gear I probably weigh close to 270 lbs., so my minimum safe ice is 2.75", and that is new clear ice in perfect condition.

I'm right there with you. The ice we were on today had large areas of 2" and some areas with 2.75" so don't forget to account for variance when you're out there!

PS. We didn't walk on the 2" areas, so I can't attest that the chart is an accurate measure for safe travel (which I don't think it is). Chisel goes through, I turn around... that's my first rule.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.