Start your ice augers!

[lindylittlejim]

Well its November 4th already today and it wont be long before we're out on the ice! man I cant wait! Last year, the first time out was Nov. 28th-on 2 - 2 1/2" of ice. and the year before that it was Dec 1st. Just thought I'd start a post and get ice fishing pumping through some peoples blood. Anyone have any predictions on when we will be on the ice this year?? I'll guess Nov. 30 on 2 inches of ice somewhere.

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Definately. Next week we might get our first snow, hope my new ice auger arrives by the end of Novermber so i can go. I'll probably be out fishing tomorrow so maybe I can fill my freezer for winter.

[LMITOUT]

I throw out a prediction.....We'll be on the ice by Dec 4th. We're going to need a big cool down though, and I think that's coming next week.

[Farley]

How about an over\under for the first post that someone has been out on the ice? Say Saturday Dec. 11th as the point. Limitout you have the under with dec. 3rd, I'll take the over. Anyone else?

[Iceseeker]

DEc 5 would be a good B-Day gift on the ice, OH YEA!!!

[LMITOUT]

Ice on the lakes! Ice on the lakes!

OK, little over-excited, but on my way back to ND Thursday morning I saw a lot of smaller ponds with a layer of ice on them. On my way back tonight I see that quite a few of the smaller, protected lakes/ponds along I-94 still have a skin of ice. That's a good sign and shows it might not be long if the cold nights continue. I guess the shorter daylight hours have some positive effect.

[lindylittlejim]

Well its the 22nd now and we're gonna need a miracle I think to be on the lakes the 28th, which would be Sunday. They are finally talking some colder lows coming up, but I'm gonna change my prediction and say possibly Dec.4th or 5th before we get out, unless we get some wicked cold nights before then. I cant take it no more I gotta get out there!

[Ryan_V]

this weather really stinks, need a couple days near 0 to get started. I can remember fishing on Lake Marion a day or 2 before thanksgiving in years past!!! Hope sometime shortly after the St. Paul show we will be out there!!

[lindylittlejim]

Well Dec 1st is tomorrow, went out to my local lake this morning and it is froze up except for an area in the middle. took a few steps on the ice and she cracked. I would say 1- 1 1/2" of ice. Can see cracks, so it is making ice overnight with the lows being 15-20. Wondering if anyone has checked out Marion or any other Hutch area lakes, I'm thinking possibly, possibly this weekend to get out on smaller lakes or bays of others. Lets hope soon! Please post if anyone has any info!

[RussPanfishguy]

Hey checked Otter Lake yesterday after work. There is Ice on the northend by the road maybe 100 ft out. Maybe another couple of nights, and no wind. Other then that heard most of the bigger lakes around Hutch where open or close to freezeing on monday.

[friendlyfisher]

A lot of the lakes have some Ice on them in the morning, then once the wind picks up it gets busted up. With a calm wind like today and low temps, I would think tonight will be a good Ice night to get the spaller lakes going. ff

[Iceseeker]

Stopped by Marion today and it is over half open water. It is going to ba awhile because if I'm not mistaken this is one of the earliest lakes to freeze over.

Thumper

[RussPanfishguy]

After work drove by Jennie, Hook Wolf and Little wolf. Same deal its going to be awhile. Most of the lakes where open in the middle.

[friendlyfisher]

The following lakes frozen at least 90%.

Ripley

Willie

Cedar

these are all I saw today. will post more later

[lindylittlejim]

Went out ice Hunting this morning, heres the report.

Marion-50% open at least, North landing ice looks horrible

Stahls 75% open

Clear-pond west of stahls- theres a open spot, but drilled holes to the west and anywhere from 3-4'' of good ice, fishable, but worth it?

Belle 100% open

Erie 90% open

Greenleaf pretty well capped, except the way east side. landing ice looked rough, but ice looked good out a ways

Willie same deal 100% froze, ice is icky by shore, looks better out a ways

Allie 50% open-icky

Preston- 40% open- 3 inches of ice about 20 yards out, otherwise crap

theres the report, with this weather today and what suppose to come tomorrow and monday, you might as well forget about ice fishing til next weekend maybe? post if anyone else has info!

[BRANDONR]

I TALKED TO A COUPLE GUYS THAT WERE FISHING ON CLEAR ON WEDNESDAY AND THEY SAID WALLYES WERE HITTING, BUT SMALL...WALKED ON CEDAR 4 PLUS OUT THERE, JENNIE'S CRAPPY ERIE'S ABOUT 75% BUT THIN. IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS ANYTHING LET US KNOW OH YEAH OTTER IS FROZE BUT ABOUT 2" NOTHING BY THE BRIDGE WHERE WE USUALLY FISH.

[Poutmaster]

Lindy Little Jim - did I see you today at the Greenleaf access?

[lindylittlejim]

Poutmaster- Yes I did if you drive a newer black dodge extended cab pickup. around 10am??

[lindylittlejim]

well were coming up on yet another weekend with no real fishable ice- Might go checking again Sat. They're talking a bit colder by sunday-monday then 30s again I guess. If anyone has reports on what any area lakes look like as of tonite 12-9 please post. This winter has to get started. I have no more patience.

[LMITOUT]

I hear ya. Last year we were out by now, but November was quite a bit colder than this year too. Everything was heading in the right direction until last Saturday when it was 50°. The nights are forecasted to be colder, but still highs in the 30's. The good thing is that it isn't 30° for very long during the daylight, so we should start making ice again barring any wind.

[Paradice]

the 6-10 day forecast looks promising. The trend they're predicting would be pretty darn good. lows in the high teens, and highs at or a notch or two above freezing.

It's a start.

[Paradice]

Hey LIMITOUT, i think this forum has gone dead. I understand that there isn't any ice, and that's depressing, but we're in this together.

Your thoughts?

[LMITOUT]

Oh I think things will pick up once people start getting out on the ice. Fall is always a bit slow in this transition period waiting for winter to come. This weather is tough on everyone's patience, including me.

[Paradice]

I know. It's just that i'm going bizirk waiting for ice.

[LMITOUT]

You're not the only one!

[Paradice]

I'm predicting i'll be fishing by tuesday of next week. I'm not sure where just yet, but i'm going. If we don't have ice here, i'm just gonna hop on 15 and start going north.

You don't know of any water hazards out on Cedar lake do ya? Springs, cricks?