It's Coming!

[therat]

Family and I walked around our pond today. Solid 2in. Could see frogs and minnows under us...gets me pretty excited! I'm going out fishing tomorrow. I've fished on less and am still here.

[troutman72]

most lakes have 2 3/8 inches   ceadar by fairbo  has the least  with just shy of 2.   on a good note  cannon,circle,and duck  all have just over or at 3 inches.

 

people fishing circle and cannon when i was checking.  also someone out on the east bay of mazaska. main lake was open yet so i dident stop to check thickness

[BringAnExtension]

It has now been below freezing for 60 hours.  We receive only a trace of snow on Wednesday night.  We had less than an inch last night, I was worried that we would have had more.  The weather is finally favorable.

[BringAnExtension]

We still have open water on Mazaska and a check on Shields yielded less than 3 inches of ice.  Not good enough for me yet.

[therat]

Fished 3 different lakes today. Had company on one of them. Game on!

[creekchaser]

A buddy and I have a trip to the Twin Cities area and have planned to make a stop in the Faribault area to ice fish. We're wanting to fish Tuesday and Wednesday and were wondering about Ice conditions and what this snow would do to any existing ice. In short, would it be worth our trip?  We've been watching and enjoying all your reports and looking for a little help or info about lakes to fish. We're willing to share any info and would be glad to have any of you join us. Thanks in advance!

[Weathertite]

What were you finding for ice thickness Therat ?  Also what was the size of the lakes you were on ? Any information that you could give would be Appreciated.  Thanks Mike

[JIvers]

Looks like a curve ball coming in the rosy ice-making forecast for southern Minnesota: five to ten inches of snow is being predicted for this Monday: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=MNZ077&warncounty=MNC131&firewxzone=MNZ077&local_place1=Faribault%20MN&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&lat=44.295&lon=-93.2688#.Vn9MJ1k4XIU

[therat]

All the lakes I fished were prairie lakes. Maximum depth 8ft. The ice was about 2-1/2in. Pay very close attention to incoming water and outgoing water...meaning stay clear of lakes that are busy getting rid of all this rain we've had. One of the lakes I fished was slushier than the other two because of this. I'm not going to tell anyone it's safe anywhere but I'll be out there fishing! Don't bring a bunch of crap and don't jump up and down...

[Mitch K]

Accuweather is calling for 8-12 inches of snow tomorrow evening

[troutman72]

Out on clear now se side

[troutman72]

If u go out the south landing on clear in wastes walk out on the tracks .  Out in front of the landing is a culvert and the ice is thinner there.

[JIvers]

That looks like a little over 3" of ice to me. Maybe not a full 4", but close.

Lows around ten degrees up there again tonight. Hopefully enough ice is made to withstand the snow getting dumped on it tomorrow.

[therat]

So I've been out the past few days on many lakes. My luck has been slim, is anyone finding'em? No need for details just want to know if people are having luck...or skill paying off. I'm flabbergasted so far. I'm heading out right now before this "snow" hits us. I should say I've been fishing dnr seining lakes in hopes of the ones forgotten...but it's been rough. I'll report about this venture later.

 

[Weathertite]

I don't have to tell you whats COMING , as it has started there already . Hope for that area that they are way off on their snow total predictions. You guys cant catch a break this year !!!

[BringAnExtension]

Creekchaser, I realize it might be a little late.  I fished yesterday on an early ice lake.  There were 4 inches of cloudy ice, but seemed pretty stable and there were a dozen other people around me.  Since then, we have received about 7 inches of snow, it is still coming down now.  We will not be adding much ice around here, so fishing opportunities in the area are limited.

Before you go out anywhere, check with one of the bait shops.

[JIvers]

Did the wind at least blow a lot of the snow off the ice around Mankato and Faribault? If it did it might not hurt things that much.

If there is 8" or more of snow sitting on 3" or 4" of ice on most lakes in southern Minnesota, well that stinks. My first ice trip this season may well end up being in Iowa, where for the most part there was little or no ice to be hurt by the snow and sleet.

 

 

[BringAnExtension]

While it was very windy as the storm approached, the winds died down quickly.  I haven't been out on the ice since the snow, but I don't see much evidence that the wind pushed snow around too much.  

[Tom I Am]

Seen 2 spear houses on East Jefferson by the landing yesterday maybe out 50 yards. I'm going to check the ice today.

[therat]

I've been out to at least 6 different lakes. Tonight I was on four solid inches with all this snow/stuff on top. I have noticed some of the larger lakes with deep basins are another story. I say don't be afraid to bring your gear when you're checking ice. So far the fish have been all mine...I even got a big ol carp this eve on rippin rap. It was weird!

[geliason]

Any ice reports for Frnch or Roberds? My wife wants to go out, but doesn't want to swim.

[DH]

On December 31, 2015 at 9:07 AM, Tom I Am said:

Seen 2 spear houses on East Jefferson by the landing yesterday maybe out 50 yards. I'm going to check the ice today.

Did you happen to check how much ice was on East Jefferson?

[therat]

I was on west Jeff today and had 3 inches. There were some sketchy spots around me. I noticed that lots of east Jeff wasn't even frozen before the snow hit, however, that same day I saw a guy out from the landing. My best advice is to stay away from the deep basins. I don't think they locked up before the snow. For instance roehmildts was barely iced around the edges and open in the basin prior to the snow. With all that said, go fishing somewhere that is shallow, protected and isn't influenced by moving water. I've been all over and have had no issues aside from slop after drilling holes. I'm not advertising danger but remember that ice floats!

 

[DH]

 I heard Hanska had 4 inches today. Not sure how far out also not sure how true since I haven't seen it for myself yet. 

[mikeymike]

I was out on Duck Lake tonight. Got a little sketchy toward the middle but in 13 fow I had around 5-6". There were a dozen or so people out. Didn't have a ton of luck (which was expected) but it sure felt great to have a line through a hole. 

Edited January 2, 2016 by mikeymike

[therat]

I was on four inches of ice on hanska. There are some sketchy spots, too. Couldn't tell you how the ice is on the south end.

[geliason]

Made it out to French yesterday and while there were 10 or so houses out, I walked out 150' from the landing and tried my spud. Everywhere I tried it went through to the water in 3 chops or less. Needless to say, I found another lake. Hopefully it will build a better base soon.

[troutman72]

Out on Roberts now a good 4