Ice conditions?

[LunkerLover84]

Has anybody gotten a look at area lakes? Any of them locked up yet ? A buddy said he seen a couple guys a little ways out on Bakers Bay and a couple guys on Eagle. Seems a little crazy to me. There can't be much more than an inch or two. Maybe a little more on Eagle since its shallower.

[Mitch K]

I checked a couple Faribault area lakes this morning.

Cannon had 6" by the pier area.

Cedar lake had a bunch of people off the access so I didn't bother checking.

Mazaska had 4" at the access and a group of 4 guys out in the middle of the lake.

And Fox lake only had 3" with slush on top.

[Bass Whacker]

Does anyone out there have a ice report for Byllesby?  Me and a friend were considering braving the weather and giving it a shot this weekend. 

[BringAnExtension]

8-10 more inches of snow today and then extreme cold.  I am debating whether I am brave enough to face the wind chills early in the day tomorrow.  I am not brave enough to face what is coming later in the day or on Sunday.

Edited December 16, 2016 by BringAnExtension

[Mitch K]

I'm waiting until Monday at the earliest to head back out. I hit Cannon for a few hours yesterday evening but only marked 2 small fish on the flasher, no bites.

[Knowknot]

How much ice did you have on Cannon?

[Mitch K]

I had 5" at this spot, pretty good distance into the lake.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Mitch K

[Mitch K]

Should have gone fishing today!

Just shows you can't trust the weather man too much. Only got 4-5" of snow in Faribault yesterday and the 35mph wind that was supposed to kick in today is nowhere in sight.

 

[Mitch K]

I'm in 13' of water on the south side of Mazaska. Only 4" of ice and the snow quickly turned to slush when I popped my holes. 

I'm in 13' of water on the south side of Mazaska. Only 4" of ice and the snow quickly turned to slush when I popped my holes. 

[troutman72]

cedar lake by faribault has a permanent house floating on the south east side.  be carefull out there

 

[BringAnExtension]

I finally made it out on the ice yesterday and what I found concerns me.  Make sure that you are checking the ice conditions, especially on late freezing lakes like Mazaska.  

 

I would find 8 inches of frozen stuff (combined ice and slush) then a few feet away there was less than 5 inches.

 

Other lakes that I was on were better, but be cautious out on the ice.  

[Harpenter]

Thanks for the update.  It will still be a few weeks before I make it up there.  Hopefully the lakes will be drivable by the time I make it.

[troutman72]

how is the ice now? i see the snow is gone. anyone been out in the last day?

[troutman72]

7 to 9 on clear in waseca off north shore

[Ragenald]

29 minutes ago, troutman72 said:

7 to 9 on clear in waseca off north shore

 That is what I found as well. Also checked kohlmeyer in Owatonna and had the same.

[johakyle]

Any word on the ice thickness on the west side of French? I am planning on heading out there Sunday morning. Thanks!

[Mitch K]

7-8" on Cannon and very slippery after the rain melted the snow and refroze.

[FishinFools]

On 12/28/2016 at 10:25 AM, johakyle said:

Any word on the ice thickness on the west side of French? I am planning on heading out there Sunday morning. Thanks!

Was on French this AM.  Saw an ATV and a snowmobile.  Every hole we cut was 5" of clear ice with 1-2" of white garbage on top. Fish were tight-lipped for us. Marked many, however.  Spoke to a guy who cut a few holes with 3".  Be safe.  Cleats a must.  

[johakyle]

Thanks for the update. Will be heading out a day early so will be out there tomorrow morning. Will post an update. 

[Harpenter]

On 12/30/2016 at 10:13 PM, johakyle said:

Thanks for the update. Will be heading out a day early so will be out there tomorrow morning. Will post an update. 

How was it?

[BringAnExtension]

I found about 6 inches on Mazaska on Friday, then 8-9 inches on French both Saturday and Sunday.  I did not do real well any of those times, but get occasional takers.

[Fl18]

How's Francis in Elysian looking?  

 

Fished it as a kid and would love to get back up here.  

 

Any places around there have little shaks  to rent?

[jed]

anybody have and ice report for some of the smaller lakes??  hunt? Horseshoe? fox?

always trying to avoid the crowds!!!

thanks,

rick

 

[Mitch K]

I've been meaning to try Fox one of these days, probably late next week. It seems like an interesting lake and not much fishing pressure.

[caseih]

Does anyone have an ice report for Mazaska can a guy drive a fourwheeler to pull the house out yet

[BringAnExtension]

People were running four wheelers last weekend.

On ‎1‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 1:10 PM, jed said:

hunt

When I fished Hunt's last winter, the Vexilar was lit up like a Christmas tree.  It seems that the crappies are have been very prolific in recent years and I could catch 3 inchers all day long.  I don't have any recent reports, however no reason not to try it out.

[Tom I Am]

13" on East Jeff where I drilled. I'm hearing mainly 12". Perms being pulled with wheelers. Seen one car on ice. Trucks on West Jeff. Only wheelers on German pulling perms.

[Mitch K]

Saw trucks on Madison lake as I drove by.

[LunkerLover84]

Where abouts on Madison? Was thinking about driving out on Washington tomorrow but I'm still a little leary. 

[Mitch K]

The North part of the lake where the big cluster of houses are.