How are the lakes looking?

[swmndeerhunter]

I haven't been by any of the lakes recently, so wondering which ones so far have iced over. Any updated on local lakes as far as the ice?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Here is Silver Lake just south of the boarder at lake park Iowa Today

[swmndeerhunter]

I love 354 views and only one comment. Good to see people like to share info in SW MN...

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'd be willing to share some info but I don't know as I haven't been out there.

Want me to make something up?

[muc33]

it's early, we have many many more days of this. I did go check Okabena, still lots of unsafe places, is any fish worth that risk? To me, no. Plus, remember if you go through, then others have to risk their lives saving you.

[PKretsch20]

How are the lakes doing with all the warm weather and rain we have had? I am especially interested in Lake Shetek.

[rwill]

Not sure on Shetek. Worthington the lake looks like junk. Open water areas, no snow, and i would be very very cautious to walk on it given the warm temps, rain and wind.

[jdfisherman]

We checked the local lakes today. Shetak had a lot of open water on the south side by the dikes and resort. We didn't check the north side today but there was open water starting to show up there a few days ago. The ice that was left looked pretty rotten. Sarah looked ok on the west side for foot traffic but there was a lot of open water on the east side. Yankton looked ok for walking as well but it was pretty foggy and we couldn't see too far across the lake to know if there was any open water out there. Bottom line: you'll really need to be careful out there until we get some prolonged cold weather to make the ice safer for travel. I think there'll be a lot of reports of ATV's and houses going in as the ice near shore will take the weight but as soon as they get out to the recently refrozen stuff down they'll go.

[Tipupdown]

Yankton most of the north side has little to no ice what so ever with the areator running.. I'd say the majority of lakes here in the SW MN have anywhere from 0-12" of ice on any given spot on any given lake. Shetek is spotty with good ice in some spots and open water pockets in other areas. Just use common sense when venturing out CHECK THE ICE AS YOU GO and stay away from areas with areators or areas that have a natural tendency to have current. Best advice i could give anyone right now is STAY HOME enjoy the holidays with your families and it looks like by friday it should be back to good ole' MN Ice Fishing weather....

[Tipupdown]

I love 354 views and only one comment. Good to see people like to share info in SW MN...

Maybe it's because every lake is different and the people who view this thread are smart enough to wait unil the ice is safe to venture out?!

[motownmasher]

sorry i don't have the answer, but some of the small ponds near redwood falls are opening up. i'd give it another week or two. ice is going to be very inconsistent this year.