Ice Reports

[MrGolfwrench]

Since is feels like winter. Might as well watch the ice form.

Blue Lake started to skim over. I will send out some reports as it forms on Blue.

I will wait until 4 inches before I venture out.

[monstermoose78]

Thank you for keeping an eye on Blue Lake's ice for us all. I was planning on checking the ice on Friday, because I like to have a 5 to 6 inches before I start fishing.

The lakes I was thinking of checking are Ann Lake near Zimmerman, Little Elk, Blue, Long, South Stanchfield, and Baxter. I know South Stanchfield had a winter kill and so did Baxter, but those were my favorite first ice lakes.

Be Safe out there people. Good Luck to those who will fish on less ice than me.

[MrGolfwrench]

Today very little has changed. Some ice around outside. It will take a while even with cold weather. There are about 40 swans on the lake and that usually means we are within 1 week of lock up.

It takes another week to get to walking thickness.

Be patient. I've seen several times when we have 2 or 3 nights below 0 and still no ice.

Going to predict Friday night gets us to 90% covered. Saturday night it will freeze completely.

[MJ1657]

Just drove by Lake Francis and its locked up.

[trappingaddiction]

Baxter has about 2.25 inches of ice out about 20 feet from shore in 3 Fow.

[amateurfishing]

East twin was skimmed over 20 ft off shore yesterday,will b watching it this weekend.

[monstermoose78]

Woohoo getting pumped for the next week

[MJ1657]

I heard a rumor that Goose lake has 3 inches.

[maxpower17]

Coon lake has less than 2 and is not fully covered. You be the judge.

[MrGolfwrench]

Looks like Blue skimmed over last night. Could not see the whole lake but looks good.

Fairly sure the swans will keep some spots open today. I will get a better look early this afternoon and report back this evening.

With reports of low winds the next couple of days that should be really good for locking it up completely by Saturday.

[MrGolfwrench]

Blue lake update: Now that I see it in daylight it is breaking up in spots. Maybe 75% covered.

I'm sticking with my original prediction. Sat night 100%.

At least it is progress.

[monstermoose78]

Well I did not make it out because of school work. I will see if my wife lets me sneak out in the morning to check ice

[MJ1657]

You have to quit letting that school work get in the way of the real important stuff.

[MrGolfwrench]

Blue Update: 100% this morning as far as I can see. Even the swans are on top of the ice.

If the snows stays away for a while we should be fishing soon.

Guess its the weekend to get my stuff ready!!!

[monstermoose78]

I did not go out to far but cut a couple hole found close to 6 inches in the rough ice and just over 4 beyond that. Would have checked more but the wife does not like watching me walk on water.

[MJ1657]

Headed to the deer stand and saw a portable out in the middle of Lake Francis.

[Archerysniper]

I was spearing today on 4 inches in the Cambridge area..

[monstermoose78]

MJ I know that guy on that Lake

[Moses2531]

Saw a couple of guys out on Orono but did not check the thickness myself

[monstermoose78]

Ice was around 4 inches on Baxter on Sunday and that was out in middle of the lake.

[AceintheHole]

Anybody check lake Francis ....

[monstermoose78]

4 inches on Sunday from friend who lives on the lake

[AceintheHole]

Thank you for the report. I was thinking about hitting there or cove bay on Saturday......should be 6"-8" out there by then....

[monstermoose78]

A person would think so, but please check on the way out. I watched many guys come out after me and river rat and they did not check even when they went away from us. Good Luck and glad I had the info for ya

[AceintheHole]

I always check every 50' or so.I'm always nervous the first time out till I get my ice legs back....

[ozzie]

for early ice I will check every step with the pick until I am more confident on the ice depth then I will strike the ice every other step. Just too many variables to mess with on first ice and I don't want to get wet and ruin a good day or life

[monstermoose78]

Agreed Ozzie!!

[amateurfishing]

4 inches around Elk River

[EaglesEdgeDeer]

How is lake Francis for ice fishing? New to the area and want to find some new lakes. Looking at DNR survey, its small but the fish nets are impressive! I assume the numbers are right?

[AceintheHole]

I'm 50%-50% on heading to one of the southern bays on mille lacs this Saturday or going to lake Francis. On way or the other I'm fishing this weekend. If I decide on lake Francis I have a clam Denail TC if anybody is interested......