Area Ice Reports

[slammer]

I heard of a ranger/ice castle out from the Pelican access last weekend.  Any truth to that?  Some people have no fear.

[huntnfish]

On 12/13/2017 at 10:15 PM, slammer said:

I heard of a ranger/ice castle out from the Pelican access last weekend.  Any truth to that?  Some people have no fear.

I can't confirm that but it wouldn't surprise me. And I don't think it's fear that some people are missing. Every year I'm amazed at how people show a complete disregard for their own safety. 

[slammer]

Someone dropped a white Lodge house in the drink right off the access by the corner store yesterday.  I didn't see it but was told he just unhooked it from the ranger and as he drove away it went down.

[slammer]

Someone dropped a white Lodge house in the drink right off the access by the corner store yesterday.  I didn't see it but was told he just unhooked it from the ranger and as he drove away it went down.

Edited December 21, 2017 by slammer

[busse3775]

I heard it broke through on the crack that was running through the back of his house. Tri-state diving finally pulled it out on Sunday or Monday. 

[huntnfish]

1 hour ago, busse3775 said:

I heard it broke through on the crack that was running through the back of his house. Tri-state diving finally pulled it out on Sunday or Monday. 

If anyone is bored one day check out tri states Facebook page. Lots of ice extractions. 

I saw in the paper that a suburban went through on Little Detroit the other day also. It seems like there's a lot more falling through this year. Definitely a scary year for ice fishing. 

[BisoNation]

Trucks going out on Ottertail Lake yesterday... with this -22 im guessing we are good for the year now

[Chill62]

Lakes I was on during break had 11-16 inches of ice and a ton of snow.  Few of the lakes the area we were fishing did start to flood while we were out hole hopping around so hopefully the snow can hold off for a little bit more.  I was on 4 different lakes and was the first to drive on three of them but we checked ice conditions first and I drive a light vehicle.  Still hearing reports of spots on Melissa and Sallie that are only 8" thick.

[busse3775]

I had 16"+ on Ottertail on Friday. Travel is pretty good on the lake and the couple inches of snow is helping smooth things out. Found only one pressure ridge that runs North and South from Amor Point. 

[Chill62]

Does anyone have an ice thickness for Big Pine?  Coming to the cabin this weekend and curious ice thickness, not looking for spots.

[otterman91105]

Big pine as of last weekend had about 15" of ice, but good ice

[Chill62]

Thanks Otterman,  I have a light weight Rav 4 and with all the gear heading to the lake for the weekend it gets full quickly but the girlfriend has a 3/4 ton and we hate taking that on thinner ice.  Just trying to get a realistic idea for vehicles.  Now if I can find willing fish lol.

[Chill62]

Buddies were on Big Pine and said they had 18" of ice plowed roads and looks like a city on the ice.  I was on Sybill and had 11" of clear ice in deep holes 13" in shallower spots.  Bunch of guys driving on the edges we hugged shore while driving out there Saturday.  Buddies went out to McDonald with their Tahoe and they heard ice booming stopped checked and had 8" of ice.  Don't know where they were exactly but they bailed off the ice ASAP.

[SDS]

Gents,

Anyone been to OT lately that could comment on ease of ice travel. Snow depth, drifts and ice. 

Would traveling nearly anywhere be acceptable with exception to rivers/creeks?

[busse3775]

You can get around anywhere on Ottertail. I have been out there the past couple weekends and we currently have 20"+ of ice. It is a little rough and some deeper snow drifts but you shouldn't have a problem. A lot of houses and traffic on the lake. 

[nels824]

Ice is NOT 20"+ everywhere, I was out 1/25 in the afternoon and was sitting on 15" -16" of ice 

[Chill62]

Went onto Star Lake through Galaxy Resort Saturday morning.  I would strongly suggest not using that access unless a safer path is formed.  Very sketchy.  Buddy behind me getting onto the lake broke through in the wheel tracks with the pickup.  Was a very scary situation for a while.