Ice conditions, post here

[Valv]

To help fellow icefishermen, let's post here the lake name and ice condtions/thickness while it's forming.

Remember BE SAFE there is no safe ice, always take precautions.

[lindylittlejim]

Drove to my local lake this morning to check it out. shorelines glazed over around the whole lake pretty much, extended out a 100 yards or so. Its a start. I still think it will be the end of next week. There is just no real arctic air in sight to make it happen very quickly. I gotta get out there though, its starting to drive me crazy!

[efgh]

Just the edges of these lakes had ice on some of the shore line, German, East Jefferson, Saber, Gorman Tetonka, Sakata, Fish, Sunfish, Francis, Elysian, no one is out around here yet that I know of,

[jig-em]

Valv,

You're not gonna believe this, but, last evening I was driving by Twin Lakes (Lonsdale) and there was a light out on the lake. I stopped because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. There was a pickup at the landing and on the lake on the north side right at the narrows was someone fishing, they had a lantern on the ice.

jig-em

[jblabsnduck]

jig-em, Do you know if shields is iceing up at all? I saw that you live in montgomery, just wondering if you have been by there. My mother and father in law live in montgomery.

[fishtrap3]

I as well saw someone out fishing yesterday morning on twin lakes..

[MNice]

I heard the same thing. Can't be more than 2", but I'm going to check it out this weekend.

[MNice]

Holy cow, lot's of Monty/Lonsdale people here!!

[Shorthair Guy]

Hey any one out there heard any thing about Circle near Northfield in Millersburg? That was my favorite lake untill 4 years ago when se froze out. I live in Northfield so its nice and close. Saw a few houses on her last winter but never got out there to check it out.

[jig-em]

jblabs,

I haven't been by Shields lately. Man, I'm really excited about the thought of fishing on hard water soon, BUT, I was going past Cedar Lake (north of New Prague) this afternoon and there was open water on about half of the lake. I guess it's hit or miss and wind direction. Twin Lakes (Cody/Phelps) are pretty well shielded from winds and that may be why they iced up so early. I think I'll wait out the cold weather a bit before I venture out.

jig-em

[jig-em]

Hey Shorthair!

I'll let you know when Greenleaf is active. For a very short time the last few years it's been active and I remember you were going to check it out.

jig-em

[ec30_06]

Carls lake (north of new prague) had about 1 1/2" on it this afternoon. Still some open water on the south east corner of the lake.

[Rippinlip]

Went by Circle Lake on Saturday and there was an ice house on the lake by the old access, out about 50 yards or so.

Bigger kahoonas than I have.

[Dotch]

A friend ice fished on Lura by the park yesterday and claimed where he was at the ice was 2" - 3". No he didn't drive out. On the other end of the lake people were goose hunting with a boat. St. Olaf is still pretty wide open yet with a very precarious appearing, small ice shelf on the far west side. Should've got the boat out Saturday to see how the motor worked after getting it back from the shop.

[Uncle Grump]

I drove from Hayfield to Granite Falls on Sat. taking Hwy 14 to New Ulm, the N on St. Hwy 4 up to Hwy 212 and then

west. The small ponds have ice, as do the Mn River backwaters, but that is it.

Clear Lake and Loon Lk in Waseca have some ice around the edges, but there is lots of open water. The ponds around Mankato are mostly open (lots of geese on them). The main channel of the Mn River is mostly open to wide open.

Water - water everywhere, and none of it fit to walk on....

UG

[7 grand kids]

Two boats out on Tetonka 12-4-04. Could be another year like winter of 1998/1999. Ice very late that season also.

[hawkeye43]

2 boats on tetonka 12-7-04, if we put floats on the fishhouse do you think we get in trouble for fishing with two lines?????

[Shorthair Guy]

jig-em thanks that would be great. It's not to far and I can swing into Monty and drag my brother-in-law off the couch. Wish the weather would start getting colder pretty soon.

Shorthair Guy

[jigit]

Drive past Ceder and Carls today( scott co. )and its starting to lock up. Still a few open spots but those should close tonight. A few more days like this it should be good for walking.

[Guest]

I drove to the landings of Eagle Lake and Lake Crystal tonight to test out the new auger and check for ice thickness. They both had about 1 1/2 to 2 inches and both appeared to be pretty torn up from the wind on Sunday. There was new ice mixed in with old chunks which makes for a rough landing that looks safe but is more than likely not.

I hope to give it a run later this week...we'll see

[fishingguy]

I did check out a local lake near New Ulm this morning. It was completely froze over. I forgot my chisel so I'm not exactly sure of the thickness, but I did walk out about 10' and it held my 250lbs with out cracking. I also thru a rock about the size of a softball out another 30yds and it just bounced. So there is hope!

[Rip_Some_Lip]

Was that clear lake?

[Dotch]

St. Olaf was nearly frozen over this morning except right by the access where a couple hundred Canada geese were camped.

[fishingguy]

Rip, Ya the one just south of town. I hope to get out to hanska tomorrow.

[Koolguie]

This is the ice report from Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake, MN. On Madison Lake in East Bay and around Grassy Island there is about 3 inches of ice. The West end of Lake Francis, Lake Ballantyne and Eagle Lake also have about 3 inches of ice. On Duck Lake there is 3-4 inches, same with Mud Bay on Lake Washington. These reports are near shore. The middle of some of these lakes are still open so be cautious venturing out.

[riverrat56]

Clear lake south of new ulm has anywhere from 3-5 inches of ice on it from the landing out to the point, hitting it tomorrow after school for some stunted crappies and bass. Also when checking the ice today i met the now famouse Al Zwach out there and he said he will be fishing it soon to.

RR56

[DLK]

live on lake washington, mud bay and bakers bay looks like its lock up maybe be out in a few days

[Fish'n guy]

Checked Clear Lake in Waseca and there is 3 inches of clear solid ice on the southwest area of the lake and maybe if the temps are decent there might be 4-5" by this weekend to bring my spearhouse out and maybe stick a few pike!!!! I appreciate the reports guys keep them comin and bring on the cold temps!!!!!!GOOD FISHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rip_Some_Lip]

I saw 2 portables out on Cannon just off the landing on hwy 60. Good to see although it might be a few days before I venture out.

[Koolguie]

This is the ice report from Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake, MN. On Madison Lake in East Bay there is about 4-5 inches, around Grassy Island there is about 4 inches and before you enter Buckmasters Bay there is a good 4 inches. The rest of Madison Lake has 1-2 inches of ice. The West end of Lake Francis, Lake Ballantyne and Eagle Lake also have about 4-5 inches of ice. On Duck Lake there is about 5 inches, same with Mud Bay on Lake Washington. These reports are near shore. Most of these lakes are now completely frozen, but the further out you get from shore, the thinner the ice gets so be cautious and be aware of changing ice conditions.

They are catching 'eyes on Madison Lake out by Buckmasters and by Cow's Bar. There is also a few nice sized crappies over by Grassy Island. Most of the 'eyes are being caught on Buckshots tipped with the head of a minnow and Jigging Raps. The crappies on small jigs or Forrage Minnows. The west end of Lake Francis is getting a few smaller crappies and northern. The northern are being caught on tip-ups with suckers. Eagle Lake is producing 2-3 lb walleyes and some 5+ lb northern on tip-ups with medium sized shiners. Good Luck and Good Fishing. Remember that no ice is safe ice so use caution and be safe when venturing out.