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Everywhere I go right now I am measuring 12" in the chisago area. Does anybody think that the ice will be thick enough to drive on by monday. I know that is a guess question, but I am tired of going to the same walkable patch of ice off of any landing and would really like to hit some deeper holes. What is the recommended thickness of ice to drive on???

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Mike, my answer may be different than many others.. but I look at it this way.. The sun is staying up longer and the angle to us is higher. My truck will not go on a metro lake this year. I dont feel it is safe. It only takes one small weak spot and your swimming.. and the water isn't warm! And its not cheep to have someone pull your vehicle out of the lake, and its not cheep to replace that vehicle.. and its not good for the lake to put all that gas and oil into it.

I'll stay parked on shore and walk out or drive north to safer ice.

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point taken, just tired of having to drive an hour to get up there to find a decent spot. I have been getting some eyes and crappies up in that area finally. I don't know now whether to go deep or shallow. It has been such a weird year, and I have caught all of my fish in the 16-22 fow range. Shouild I look deeper??? for eyes anyway. Also is the time from 5am until noon a decent walleye bite??

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Mike, Generally on most bodies of water the low light times are best for walleyes.. During the lowest of light(dark) you will find the walleyes shallower(11-16 feet for our lakes, or so it seems) and then deeper as more light happens.. So, if I were fishing in the evening, I may start my search in an area I feel will hold walleyes shallow and find the deep part of the break.(30 feet deep or so) and have holes drilled to the shallower water. Then as the fish move in to feed I can follow them in to the shallow water.. If you plant yourself in one spot, your bite is a shorter window. You would do the exact oppisit in the mornning.. start shallow and move to deeper water. I would think the bite would be near done by about 8am however...

Now, there are a few lakes that are much different.. Lake of the Woods for instance... The best bite is in the early morning and late afternoon.. but it is possible to catch walleyes all day long.. but good luck getting a bite after dark.

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thanks deitz, you have helped a lot through the posts. Us newbies need the help. Thanks again. I will be out on the grave yard on south center monday and tuesday from 3pm until around 11pm if you are interested in popping by.

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Mike, I am not familiar with "the Graveyard"

I have a DR appt on monday and depending on what he says and what time I get out I may hit the pond.

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That is what the guy at frankies called it. It is directly west of sunset. There is a point coming in between two bays that is covered with gray rock with the 67, not the 80, foot hole.

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Mike_ i sent you an e-mail.. I was out tonight and struck out.. 1 eye.. but small... Just an FYI.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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