It's Coming!

[BringAnExtension]

I know that we are still a long ways off from ice fishing.  But yesterday morning there was a skim of ice at the landing for Mazaska.  It just gets me looking forward to the hard water season!

[Mitch K]

I'm getting exited as well.

Gonna pick up a new hub and flasher on black Friday.  Hopefully I'll be able to use them by the following weekend

[BringAnExtension]

I spent some time this fall marking early ice spots on my handheld GPS, spots that I can easily access by walking  I can't wait to see if some of my strategies work out.

[troutman72]

most lakes in the area had skim ice in the calm spots. 

[Mitch K]

The AccuWeather forecast is looking good. 12 degrees and calm tonight

[troutman72]

clear lake in waseca was mostly iced over this morring  when i drove around it.

[Mitch K]

I looked at a couple lakes around Faribault this morning.

Fox lake was open with some skim ice around the fishing pier.

Roberts lake looked completely covered with a thin sheet.

The snow tomorrow is bad news for the lakes that are already iced over.

[BringAnExtension]

Mazaska was mostly covered in ice, French was about 90% covered.  Hoping that we get enough snow to sink the little bit of ice out there.

[dennsplace]

Just before the snow clear in waseca had 2 inches by the shore. Eyes were hot before the ice came. Really want to drill some holes. Come on cold weather no more snow till the 23 or so is fine with me. 

Edited December 2, 2015 by dennsplace
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[BringAnExtension]

There is little good news in the 10 day forecast for ice fishing for the Faribault area lakes.  Highs will be around 40 with lows just barely hitting freezing.

The only good news that I can find is that the 7-11 inches of snow that were predicted turned into 3 inches.  The temps in the 40's should wipe that out so that when it finally does get cold the ice will form quickly.

[troutman72]

Walked out a bit

[therat]

I walked on a south of mankato body of water today. Checked this same body of water before the snow and there was already an inch and a half. I didn't have my gear...but I will next time.

[therat]

Game on.

[BringAnExtension]

Long term trends favor ice making weather beginning on Sunday.  Let's hope that they are right.

[JIvers]

If the Accu Weather forecast for Faribault holds I plan on being up in that area popping holes in the ice on the weekend of December 19-20.

If the Weather Channel's forecast is the more accurate I may have to wait a little longer than that to get on the ice in SC Minnesota.

 

 

[Mitch K]

Cannon lake has opened back up and the ice on Elysian was looking pretty wet this afternoon.

Hopefully with this rain and above freezing nights this weekend all the lakes open up and we can get some new good ice starting Wednesday if the forecast holds out.

[troutman72]

Well got a good start in 12 hours of freezing  Made this.  hope we get another inch overnight.

[Weathertite]

Looks like that piece came from the kids pool that they were using yesterday because its been warm enough. Sorry , couldn't resist.  Lmao

[waterfowl101]

Does anyone know if Gorman and the lakes around there have enough ice? Thanks

[Mitch K]

I saw someone fishing Lake Elysian yesterday. He had a couple tip-ups set up pretty close to shore and was sitting in his car waiting for a flag.

[Frogwizard]

Only 1 or 2 inches on Clear this morning. Looking good but not safe to walk.

[troutman72]

guy went down on clear an hour ago  they got out safe.  lost his gear..   i mesured 1 5/8 of ice.

[Weathertite]

7 minutes ago, troutman72 said:

guy went down on clear an hour ago  they got out safe.  lost his gear..   i mesured 1 5/8 of ice.

My point was just made so much better than I could have said it . NOT SAFE !!!!!!!!!!

I am glad to hear that he got out safe and probably learned and taught a very valuable lesson.  No Fish is Worth a Human Life

Edited December 20, 2015 by Weathertite

[roony]

Clear Lake was wide open less than two days ago. Somebody just aint too bright.

 

[BringAnExtension]

Glad he was safe.  

[JIvers]

7 hours ago, troutman72 said:

guy went down on clear an hour ago  they got out safe.  lost his gear..   i mesured 1 5/8 of ice.

Yeah, this is why as badly as I wanted to get out on the ice this weekend in southern Minnesota I stayed in Iowa. 

You only got really two days of good ice-making weather back there, and the wind would have slowed the ice-building down a little bit. I figured there with temps warming up today the lakes south of the Cities would come up a little short of safe ice.

The forecast for the week after Christmas is looking a little better for making good ice. I can wait another ten days. 

[BringAnExtension]

JIvers - I remember your post about coming to the area on the 19th and thought about PM'ing you.  I was planning to fish too, even if I had to go north.  Just could not justify driving a long distance, especially to areas I am not familiar with, when the ice situation is so sketchy.  Looks like you came to the same conclusion.

[JIvers]

The forecast looks pretty good as far as temperatures go for making ice in south central Minnesota after today--I just hope the snow predicted doesn't interfere with things too much.

Did most of the thin ice from last weekend melt off the lakes up there? Probably not, but I hope that it did so the freezing gets a fresh start without snow on top of thin ice.

If things go well I'll be paying a visit to Waseca or Faribault later this week.

[roony]

Things are looking more promising for sure. I think most of the heavier snow is suppose to go west of us this next time anyway.

 

[troutman72]

gona be checking ice  on some lakes today  clear in waseca had just 2 inches this morring.