Are we going to see Ice on the Big Pond? (aerial pics added)

[Steve Foss]

Plenty of ice. Uh, sort of. I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge. You can see there's ice, but you can also see in the second two images where it's broken.

Not me. Uh uh. No way. Not getting me walking out there!

[Deep_Sinker]

Nice pics Steve~!

Were those taken today? Or earlier this week?

[Steve Foss]

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I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge.

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Deep Sinker: Are you the guy in school who always started the test before he read the instructions?

[Quickstrike]

I have been off 21st and the lester this past week. There is about 8 inches off of 21st, but a few good sized pressure cracks you have to be carefull of. The lester had about 4-6 inches of ice and also had a good sized pressure ridge near shore. Let it be noted that we were prepared with rope, pics, a spud bar and were very carefull. I managed to hook 2 loopers and lost them both, and didn't see much of anything other than some herring out deep off of 21st.

Good luck and be carefull.

[SKIPPERS KID]

Steve you the man great photo's thanks for sharing. that is a good birds eye view thanks for that so we all can see what the pond looks like from the above view and Ice covered well just on one end again thanks.

[Wade Joseph]

Sorry, not me, not till I know its solid sheet.

Anyone wearing a life vest?

[Deep_Sinker]

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Deep Sinker: Are you the guy in school who always started the test before he read the instructions?

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Yes, I do jump the gun; I just wasn't sure as the big crack(out from the pump station) hasn't moved much...about the same as I saw on Thursday which surprises me.

[Capt.Blaine]

Has anyone been out in front of the French fishing for Loopers?

[Quickstrike]

there's not really any ice in front of the french, but guys are getting off the lester

[Nate McVey]

Great Pics Steve! The first is obvious (location), the 2nd is the end of London Rd and the start of 61 (I think)? Where is the 3rd? I'm guessing that it is off the Lester a bit......just curious.

[Steve Foss]

Image No. 3 is just a close-up view of image No. 2.

So the strip of open water seen in image No. 3 is the bottom strip of water seen in No. 2, wherever that is.

[Nate McVey]

Thanks ST......again great pics!

[sachem longrifle]

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Plenty of ice. Uh, sort of. I took these images late this morning from a flight over the bay just outside the lift bridge.

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I find it amazing that you can flap your arms and take pictures at the same time . Ok, I will return to my seat

[Deep_Sinker]

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I managed to hook 2 loopers and lost them both, and didn't see much of anything other than some herring out deep off of 21st.

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Quick,

It sounds like you are the resident expert on LS ice fishing? What are some tactics for this? What sort of tackle do you usually use? I really would like to get out there, so if you ever need someone to accompany you; give me a shout.

[Smeds]

Here's a great link for checking ice on Lake Superior. Daily satellite pics, but sometimes the clouds get in the way. Pretty interesting tracking the changes daily.

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=s&page=1

[SKIPPERS KID]

I have this in my book mark and I think every one should mark this as well. Thanks for the link Smeds this is a handy link.

[Quickstrike]

Deep Sinker, I am in no way an expert of lake superior ice fishing, I just have too much free time on my hands! Fishing deep for lakers, I have had little luck off the north shore but I would try the same techniques used around bayfield and in the islands, big spoons, beetles, with smelt or herring. When fishing shallow for loopers or coho, i like to fish a crawler under a bobber and then jig a small spoon with a 6 in dropper with a fly and a waxie.

I'll probally be out on wed but might head back over to chequamigan, found a pretty hot bite over there this weekend.

[Steve Foss]

Sweet link, smeds.

[Deep_Sinker]

Quick,

Let me know if you wanna hit superior sometime in the near future.(my email is ryanboe at hotmail dot you know what) I would like to try it while I can. This morning there was a group way out there with a four wheeler and a canoe. Not sure why both as the four wheeler wouldn't fit in a canoe. Anyways, I would like to try for some loopers, cohos, lakers. Really anything! I bet a looper is a heck of a rush through the ice! Is there any ice in front of the sucker? I've heard good things about looper fishing there...

[Quickstrike]

I'll be heading deep for lakers on wed, if interested e-mail me at paul0508 at d dot umn dot edu

[Bartz]

Post deleted by Bartz

[brian6715]

LOL I want to know the reasoning behind the canoe and the wheeler

[UMDSportsman]

Just saw three houses and a couple people outside off of 21st.

[Nate McVey]

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LOL I want to know the reasoning behind the canoe and the wheeler

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I believe it is just in case that chunk of ice breaks off when the wind switchs.......then they can paddle back to shore (or at least good ice)

[Noahsark]

The purpose of dragging a canoe (or other small craft) behind you when fishing on Gitch is not in case you "break through" but instead for if you "break away". The ice is quite thick (a lot of times formed elsewhere and blows in) but is in fragmented sheets that are prone to breaking away into the open portion of the lake.

When this happens (and it has) it is a lot cheaper to do a self-rescue than pay the fine/fee that the coast guard will charge you for a Helo ride!

[JustinG]

I saw some clown out about a mile from Fitgers on ice skates getting pulled by a dog today!!!! There were 3 other fisherman out about a half mile north of there on a point ice fishing. Anybody doing anything out there lately? I might have to get out there for some Lakers!

Justin

[Deep_Sinker]

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I believe it is just in case that chunk of ice breaks off when the wind switchs.......then they can paddle back to shore (or at least good ice)

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What about the four wheeler? Catch that in wisconsin?

Anyways, I ventured out of 21st tonight, be careful around the pressure cracks as the ice is expanding and the ice near the ridges varies. Other than that, I found 10-12 inches of solid ice and nothing but some smelt for fish.

[Nate McVey]

Deep, I guess if you are so concerned about the ice that you drag a canoe out there, you can't be too worried about the wheeler.

[Surface Tension]

I've been playing this ice game on the lake for over 30 years. Started fishing off 21st with just a few guys and when everyone else were off the Curling Club. The type is we have now you don't fish Lakers out deep in. You stick off the river mouths or off 21st in close. Herring and Salmon are the target off 21st. At any rate even fishing in relatively close you stayed alert because the ice could leave with you on it. Happened many, many times.

Think about boarding a canoe into the water off a sheet of ice. Tell me how your going to do that. I can say with great confidence that the average knucklehead will flip the canoe over 5 times out of ten.

If you plan on going out deep for lake trout forget about a canoe and drag a boat out or two canoes lashed together.

[spivak]

What is the rhyme and reason for where the clusters of anglers are on the lake? Skated out and talked to several who were fishing from 100-140 ft. of water. Look for a particular depth? Any break or structure to speak of? Clustering together because we are social creatures? Is one place as good as the next? Whatever the reason it is pretty exciting to be on the ice and to skate over the shallows with the rocks flashing by below.