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I’m going out today after work to check ice on O’Dowd- anyone been out checking ice?

ill put the ice conditions I find on O’Dowd today on here after I check. 

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last night the north metro lakes were 50-90% covered. I am guessing the majority are locked up now. Hopefully making some quality ice over the next couple days.

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The wind messed with the ice at the beginning of the week, despite the cold temps, so It will probably take a little longer than people think.

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Lakes around me didn't lock up until Wednesday of this week.  Most were WIDE open as late as Tuesday evening.  Even though it was cold the wind was keeping them open. This weekend doesn't look like great ice making weather so we probably won't put on inches very quickly.  May take until the next bit of cold that looks to be in store for early next week, even then it looks to be a short lived cold spell with temps back up near 30 after.  Probably won't lose any ice but won't be making it very quickly. 

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I went to O’Dowd yesterday- guy was pounding holes in the middle of the lake (bigger seeds than me). Anywhere from 2-3 1/2 inches of decent ice. I’m heading out this evening. I’ll post pics of the ice and hopefully some eyes 

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I went to O’Dowd yesterday- guy was pounding holes in the middle of the lake (bigger seeds than me). Anywhere from 2-3 1/2 inches of decent ice. I’m heading out this evening. I’ll post pics of the ice and hopefully some eyes 

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1DE99F74-E39D-40C0-9F74-21142791BEE2.jpeg

2-3 in on O’Dowd- couldn’t get to where I needed to be to fish. 

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I was on a small north metro lake today and found between 2.5 and 4 inches. One of the spud bar holes I punched started spewing water up so definitely needs a little more time. 

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north metro lake had consistent 2-2.5" yesterday around noon. Headed back tonight to check a couple  more lakes. 

It would be nice to hit 4-5" before warm weather sets in  later this week

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I checked a small lake in Arden Hills after work yesterday. Measured 3-4”.

Should be ready for me to actually fish next time.

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I also hit O'dowd today. Not prime fishing time though 11-3:00. Couple of perch and and a decent pike on a small crappie jig and minnow head. Bit like a walleye. Just sat there looking at jig, and just barely bit.

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On 12/18/2017 at 5:48 AM, Holy carp said:

6in on O’Dowd- fish are biting to

ED3B4BF6-E872-43D7-8CDA-3F35AA3E57F6.jpeg

691D901B-8DDD-40D5-BCA5-93A0AD0071AE.jpeg

CF5A6128-1690-45CE-8700-072E89898092.jpeg

Any tips on presentation or FOW?

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Fished O'Dowd yesterday from 10 am until about 4:30 and found about 6" of good clear ice in most spots, but I did find some thinner spots around pressure cracks that were only 3" or so.  Also found one weak spot just north and slightly east of the western point on the large island that was only 3" in about a 6' x 6' area.  Spud bar only took a couple hacks to break through.  Saw one 4 wheeler slowly going across the main basin from the landing.

As for fish, I had a few schools of pan fish come through and caught a few dinks.  Also saw one walleye on camera attack my puppet minnow jig tipped with a minnow head.  He was even hooked for a second and then spit it out.  So that was some excitement but otherwise it was pretty quiet.

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Aaron- I caught those eyes in the back bay in 9-12fow. I was ripping rip and raps and they hit those but most hit my dead stick with a shiner right off bottom. Hope this helps good luck

Holy carp

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15 1/4" on waconia where I checked Saturday. Did not measure yesterday when I put my house out but it was visibly thicker guessing close to 17" where I was. Sure its not like that everywhere.

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15” of good clean ice on orchard in Lakeville yesterday... which is 15 more inches than fish caught. 

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Was out on Spring yesterday and had 17"+ of good ice. Great lake if you want to catch 6-8" perch all day.  We fed them lots of minnows so hopefully they will grow ;)

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  • 2 months later...

Anybody have an update for late ice?  I have been out of town for work so haven't been out in quite a while.  I was planning on going out Saturday, but was wondering what this warm weather has done to the ice around the Metro.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Watch the landings 

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  • 1 month later...

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