Horseshoe Ice reports

[RoughFishin']

Just in case anyone is wondering, it was no bueno today haha...vehicles were still driving on the ice too

[Horseshoe_Don]

Lake is still dry with little change in the ice this week.   I expect that to start changing today.   Did catch a mess of 11" crappies somewhere on the chain last weekend.

 

Don

[mrpike1973]

Don, How thick is the ice on average on the lake? At one point I saw 13 inches? I'm guessing with the warm up it will go fast.

[RoughFishin']

It was probably more than 13 where i was at some spots. I would say 12-14 mostly

 

[mrpike1973]

Thank you. Wow that wont last to long ouch!

[Horseshoe_Don]

The ice turned colors today.    Shorelines are melting fast.

 

Don

[smurfy]

2 minutes ago, Horseshoe_Don said:

The ice turned colors today.    Shorelines are melting fast.

 

Don

I seen  3 houses out there this afternoon...hope they can get them off without incident!!!!! 

[Fishing Frenzy]

Any Atvs out there today?

[smurfy]

Yea a few!

[Whiskerbent]

12-14 inches throughout the north side of long today.  Was like drilling through a slushy by the end of the day....ice was getting pretty soft.  Landing is starting to go, had to drive through water for 5 feet (atv) to get off the lake.

 

oh, and couldn't find the crappies to save my life

[Horseshoe_Don]

Ice is very black and honeycombed.   I would say its only safe for walking but if we get a lot of snow it may not be safe period.   I have open water pockets in the ice by my shore.   Open water is not far from becker and the river is opening up north of the access.

 

Don

[mrpike1973]

Was out on the Chain today in the boat. The ice is getting very honeycombed. Sure was fun to get the boat going.

[Huntin&Fishin]

How far did you get?

[mrpike1973]

I believe it is the 49 bridge just a little south of there. Lots of ice chunks coming down.

[Horseshoe_Don]

Ice is freezing up.  Shore lines are now frozen up where they were open.  Ice is honeycombed but firm.   River is open past the 22 access by 100 yards.   I might just take out my small wheeler and do a walleye fishing on shoe this weekend.

 

Don

[Horseshoe_Don]

Checked the ice by my place today on Shoe.   It was 10" thick and came out in crystals when I chiseled it.    The north side of the lake has open water from the river.

 

Don

[mrpike1973]

I was on the river Sunday by Cold Spring. The ice was coming down in chunks and candling. Cold on the boat no fish but fun to be out. I usually do better for cats near the 22 bridge.

[Horseshoe_Don]

It will be open from the 22 access to the 22 bridge shortly.   Not far from connecting

 

Don

[mrpike1973]

Thanks Don, Sounds like a cold week again.

[Horseshoe_Don]

River now open from 22 access to cedar island.   Also open water to meth hole.

 

Don

[Rick G]

Thank you, Don for the updates ☺

[Horseshoe_Don]

just looked out this morning and this wind opened it up more.    If you want to do any march Cat fishing at the meth hole, then just drop your boat in the 22 access and drive on over.   The entire meth hole area is open water.   You could probably get to the other cat holes down stream.

 

South side of shoe is still frozen with fractures that have opened up due to the wind.   I measured 10" a few days ago but its probably less now.

 

On  weird note it is supposed to get below zero Thursday night and stay below freezing til next Wednesday so maybe it all freezes again, except the river channel.

 

weird winter.

 

Don

[Rick G]

Weird winter indeed....

[jigginjim]

Could be interesting, looking for cold water cats in this early open water.

[Horseshoe_Don]

Ice on shoe in front of my place is at least 8 inches in some places.   Could have driven a wheeler on it.    Thinest I could find was about 4".    There are places that are very thing though.   Basically places that were open a couple a weeks ago.

 

Don

[Whiskerbent]

Is the access on 22 still open at least?  I was hoping to get the boat out and chase a few cats Sunday, maybe it won't be an option?

[mrpike1973]

Whiskerbent, You beat me to it I was going to ask the same Question. Last sunday was out on the chain by Cold Spring I could only get to the second bridge up didn't have much luck. Want to get out by Horseshoe.

[Borch]

There's a few really good cat spots in that stretch.  It won't be long and it will all be open.

[Whiskerbent]

Yeah pike I agree.  Am hoping to head down towards the lake and get to a couple holes

[Horseshoe_Don]

it is open from the 22 access to the 22 bridge and i assume the channel down stream to cold spring.

 

Don