ice

[Russ-Judy]

just from what Iv gathered- Red is making good ice yet but there are cracks that havent healed yet, Cooky reports 3" of snow and a few small drifts here and there-no one is letting vehicles out yet- theres still spots of open water as the ice is still moving and shifting-just remember they were pulling up an atv just a few days ago so think twice yet

[jigglestick]

this is the right conditions to be out fishing with your atv to find you have broken off and cant cross a now three or more feet of open water.
until the ice is seven inches or more all the way out I dont trust it to be way out by myself.
I have seen the piles of ice caused by high wind gusts. the ice in the piles was six inches thick.
if there is any open water out there, it will be that much easier for the wind to push it around.
like was stated earlier, remember, it's only the first week in december.
there are alot of lakes in this region that are very safe right now with seven or maybe more inches of ice.
one thing to keep in mind also is that lakes like Deer Lake north of Deer River, just froze over.
the guy who lost his life on burntside?
that is the same kind of lake.
deep and late freezing.
stick to the smaller lakes through this warmer weather and you will be OK.
venture out onto larger lakes that you are uncertain lakes, you are asking for trouble in my opinion.

I would love to get out onto bowstring, but that is a big lake. it is prone to ice heaves. usualy on the north end, but with muzzle loader season going through this weekend, I think I will stay off for maybe another week.
the temps show a drop in the daytime highs starting next weekend.

we have had a nice stretch of cold for a week here now and that will help, but with these temps, we will only maintain what we have.
with new snowfall, it could turn into a disaster.
watch the weather, pray for steady daytime temps and no snow.
lets get that solid foot of ice first.

be careful, and if you choose to venture out to red, bring a buddy, a rope and some planks or ramps. ask one of the locals there thoughts and be careful.
gps to get off in the dark. follow your gps tracks.
people tend to get screwed up and off course in the dark. nothing looks the same.

talk to hilmans, or cookie. they will set you straight.

[cookie]

I did spend some time on the lake today.I was on the sled and wheeler. Not sure how far I was out less then a mile? at 8 1/2 feet of water I measured 10 1/2 inches of ice. I drilled a total of 20 holes. At 7 feet to 8 1/2 the most I measured was 11 inches of ice.Being I do not maintain a road it would be better to ask the resorts then me.All I can tell you is what I observe. Today there were sleds and wheelers going all over the place?A few wheel houses are out in 7 feet of water.And I would assume the ice is 11 inches in those spots?Most were hauled out with wheelers?

[Outdoors Junkie]

Thanks for the update Cookie.  Be safe everyone!