Stick A Fork In It

[IceHawk]

Just did a 6 day marathon of ice fishing in all parts of the state, and from I witnessed on a bunch of different lakes ice conditions are changing rapidly and are unsafe in the S and certain areas in the central  parts of the state. Fished the Atwater area lakes couple times.  ON these lakes there were areas of open water thin ice, to ice so black it could open any day. I personally advise no travel in the southern region area at all. Central  MN still has walkable ice on a few lakes especially one of my favs in particular Osakis . It still held my wheeler  the other day but any day could be walk on only. What i found last few days on local waters around my area  near RIchmond is fast deteriorating ice.  Upper spunk had about 20 yards open water in front of access this morning and was very honeycombed. Chain is going fast and  just about done IMO . Water is coming up when you walk ,shorelines are starting to open. chunks flying out of ice when augering a  hole  and the ice sheet feels like your walking on a sponge.  What I saw this morning gave me a wake up call. Bright side is I hit a few lakes up in Otter tail county and ice conditions weren't to bad. This and the Northern parts of the state are what I recommend if you plan on fishing yet. All lakes are different so use common sense and discipline and regard your and others safety. Remember even if you do survive falling in you still put someone else's life at risk trying to save you. I do realize there are always some that push the envelope but we all know that no fish is worth it. There's  always next year so use your head. I'm done locally maybe one more hoorah N yet but locally I'm done . I have a family to come home to and as far as I'm concerned a nice salmon or tuna steak fresh  from the local market tastes just as good and doesn't put myself or anyone else at risk.  For those that insist on continuing to go out be extremely carefull!!  High temps, high winds, and rain are a recepie  for disaster. 

Edited March 9, 2021 by IceHawk

[smurfy]

Great report icehawk. been following Jeff sundin's reports up north. Plans are to hit winnie, bowstring and a few small lakes  by Sunday I'll be done with ice fishing.

[smurfy]

AND now there talking 4-6 inches of snow up there tomorrow night into thursday!!

[BobT]

Was out on Osakis Monday and while the ice was about 30" thick I could tell when drilling with the auger that it wasn't quite as hard as it was a couple weeks ago. No snow left on it so with the bright sunny days, it can change rapidly. Expecting 3-5 inches of snow today through tomorrow morning so that may slow down the melt a little. Of course, it is predicted to be sunny and in the mid to upper 30's and low 40's the rest of the week so the snow won't likely last too long.

[whateverisbiting]

Went for a walk yesterday around a local lake people were shore fishing!

[mrth0201]

On 3/10/2021 at 8:06 AM, BobT said:

Was out on Osakis Monday and while the ice was about 30" thick I could tell when drilling with the auger that it wasn't quite as hard as it was a couple weeks ago. No snow left on it so with the bright sunny days, it can change rapidly. Expecting 3-5 inches of snow today through tomorrow morning so that may slow down the melt a little. Of course, it is predicted to be sunny and in the mid to upper 30's and low 40's the rest of the week so the snow won't likely last too long.

BobT

Any chance for walkable Ice this upcoming weekend on Osakis??

 

Thanks 

Mrth

 

 

 

[BobT]

On 3/16/2021 at 7:10 PM, mrth0201 said:

BobT

Any chance for walkable Ice this upcoming weekend on Osakis??

 

Thanks 

Mrth

 

 

 

Sorry, I haven't looked at the ice condition this week. I personally have put my ice gear into storage for this year. Maybe someone else has an answer for you.

[Mike89]

 all I can say is there are folks still fishing, not me...

[JBMasterAngler]

North end of Mille Lacs is still in really good shape.