Metro Ice Report...

[cubbies11]

There was about 2 inches on Bald Eagle this morning, by next week it will be a go.

Cubbies

[Ole #1]

Anyone know if there is any ice on Turtle lake in Shoreview?

[cubbies11]

Looking for a lake to fish tomorrow morning, no hot spots needed. Are there any good small lakes with ice in the metro?

Cubbies

[mtreno]

Dusty

did you get a chance to stop by spring or fish lake. spring has about 2 on the south east side but i was wondering if anyone has been by the access.

[walleyeguy7]

i saw three guys out fishing forest lake this morning, but i never went out to check the ice for myself. they all stayed close to willow point. had great luck with the eye's there throughout the year, but i have yet to try it this winter. good luck where ever you venture out to, be careful! has anyone checked out owasso yet?

[Dusty]

mtreno,

No, I didnt stop at Spring or Fish. Iam sure they would be similar. Its going to be next week for me.

[John Mickish]

It looks like Turtle and Round lake on Hwy 96 are iced over as well as WBL. I don't know how thick it is yet. Saw three guys fishing this little pond on 35W by I694.

Soon we shall fish, and fish we shall.....

[united jigsticker]

Seen the same guys fishing that pond off 35W...there were 2 groups of 5 guys....

[fisherman]

Went and spent some time this afternoon checking the ice for this weekend. I didnt have a chisel with me, but lake Indpendence was iced over completely. Seemed to be maybe inch or possibly two. Waverly was still open in the middle and about an inch, although little waverly had a handfull of portables out there. Howard Lake was completely iced over also.

Good fishin'

[local boy]

i thought you folks would like to know that med now has fishable ice. I jsut got off the lake and i did quite well. A buddy and I caught 30 crappies in about 2 hours, we were jsut messin around and we could have probably doubled that if we were actually tryin. The fish werent hammerin it but it was still very fun. The crappies we caught ranged from 8.5-10 inches. And most important of all the ice was 2.5 inches think and a lil more in random places.

[Joe Harty]

Medicine Lake ice is not safe yet! Most of the ice was formed on the evening of the 12th. With the high wind and frigid temps that day we received all the chunky wind blown ice down on the South and Southeast sides of the main Lake. That ice is thickest for sure and usually is every year. Extreme caution is urged to each and every person that just has to fish right now though. I will be opening the Baitshop on Monday,December 26th. I will stay on top of the ice thickness between now and then, and report back to this forum on a timely basis. Looks like temps will be dropping soon, which is a huge blessing, but remember...there is alot of very cold water right underneath you and it is vital to pay more attention to that fact rather than a few fish that are down there, at this very early stage of winter. If you think you should wait just a bit....you probably should !!

See you soon !

Lakeman

[Kodiak]

From KARE 11 Weather-

Looking out farther into late next week toward the Christmas Holiday it appears that some of the coldest air of the season may be heading into Minnesota right before Christmas. This cold air mass with air temperatures between -5 below and -25 below has been sitting over central and northern Canada the past few weeks. The cold air would certainly modify as it heads south into the state especially over areas of southern Minnesota that do not have snow on the ground but persons traveling next week or just staying around the area should continue to monitor updated forecast for the potential of a bitter cold air outbreak during the Holidays. ICE ICE ICE

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[unclejake]

F.L. Report: 5 groups of guys fishing off of forest lake willow point yesterday afternoon. 2 groups were to the east of the point and 3 groups were right in the narrows. probably a total of 10 - 12 guys fishing. Sorry I do not have ice thickness...assume it's 3-4" with that many guys out.

[iceholeguy]

I was up there yesterday (Wed) and there were people in the channal and a few of the south end of the lake. One guy was way out there, but he came from a private residence. I don't think coming from shore would work. Out 100 yards it was only 3-4 in thick. I heard the guys fishing walleye said it had been slow, but they had only fished it one night. Hope this helps.

[Crawlerman]

I still say ANYONE walking onto ANY metro pond or water right now is nuts. We've only had ONE good ice making night, which has been nullified by above freezing temps and sun during the last couple of days.

I know its frustrating getting this late of a start to the season (again) but stay safe and use your head.

NEVER NEVER be the first person onto the ice or the last person to leave. I would think that part of the purpose of this thread would be to Educate people better...

Many of even the small shallow ponds in the metro still have open water or have just frozen over. Point is the ICE IS NOT SAFE YET!!

[schr0563]

I can see it now Crawlerman, a bunch of people standing around a frozen lake in the middle of January, all taking your advice to heart and not being the first person out there.

Have you checked any of the ice that you have claimed to be unfit for human travel? I am going to hit a metro lake this weekend that has had ice on it for over 2 weeks. Before I go out I will check the ice thickness. I will also be wearing a life preserver and will check the conditions as I go.

I understand that many people go by the weather rather than actually drilling a hole to see where the ice is at. In your defense, saying not to go out on the ice because you feel the weather hasn't been cold enough to ensure safe conditions is good advice for any novice who has no experience with ice travel. More importantly, and my point with all of this, is to stress the importance of checking ice conditions as you venture out on it. Every year I venture out on 4-6 inches of solid clear ice amid constant warnings of avoiding all lakes. If these same people who make the warnings would take some time to actually see how much ice there is, and take precautions as you go out, they could experience more of the best time to fish on the ice.

Keep in mind that this idea works both ways. Just because there is a group of people out on your favorite lake doesn't mean that it is safe for you to go out there. Again, a quick check of the ice thickness, and periodic stops to check on the way to your spot is a good idea for everyone.

[Bogey911]

Anybody check ice conditions on Crooked Lake yet? Thought I might check it out this weekend.

[CorynTracySellHomes]

Couldnt agree more with you Schro!

Only way to know if the ice is safe is to bang some holes. I LOVE early ice fishing, and I typically am one of the first ones out on the lake. Its not because I have a death wish, nor am I a moron. I take lots of precautions before going on the ice. Such as using a spud bar to check ice thickness ahead of me, I always have a PFD and rope, and last but not least I always have ice spikes around my neck.

Good luck everyone!

Cory Frantzick

[Rywheat]

Joe just to keep ya on your toes the 26th is a sunday not monday did you ever get that new superduty. See ya soon Ry

[fishfearme]

Hey Corey, how does rush look?

[protrapper]

Was down in the cities today. We saw about 10 people and shacks on Big Marine, and a few guys out on the lakes in the Chisago area.

[Joe Harty]

Thanks Ry, must have been looking at the 1998 calendar !

Now then....The baitshop on Medicine will be open the 27th of Dec.

[EBass]

See ya soon Joe, have a great X-mas. Quick Q. What kind of minnows will you carry now that you have a bit more room? I assume crappie minnows, sucker minnows, and ... fathead for the waters or maybe shiners?

[Duffer]

im heading out to coon tomarow what has been working out there for notherns and where about have they been at it will be my first time out there any help would be greatly appreciated?

[cubbies11]

Personally I use XXL suckers, but I am not after numbers just big fish. I have one over 30 this year in about 5 hours out there, I have had other fish too nothing too big though. Most others use med. shiners and have a lot of action.

Cubbies

[BigStevie]

I checked my favorite metro lake last night. There was a solid 4 inches of clear ice under my feet. I'll be fishing tomorrow for sure if not tonight. I can't wait! I look forward to hearing how everyone does this weekend. Keep us posted! Good luck and be safe!

[lindyrig80]

How much ice on the North side of Bald Eagle? Just got done with finals looking to go out. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[cubbies11]

I am also intrested, looking to head out on sunday. We might be able to make it to the EV off the landing.

Cubbies

[Jeremy airjer W]

Anyone know how the ice is on north or south center?

[so haaad]

I checked Gervais at the public beach today (Friday). I punched a couple holes, and there was only about 2-3 inches of very clear ice. I only went out to about the 4 foot depth range. I did the one foot stomp and the ice cracked. I then proceeded to do the two foot scuttle back to shore. It sometimes amazes me just how fast a guy can run when he needs to! Give it another week and it should be ok.