Ice Conditions- 2010-2011

[kcarder]

I have not ever heard of anything like that.  I know that Ice Armor makes flotation clothing.  I have not ever seen of, heard of a floating ice fishing house.  Sounds like a john boat with a homemade cover and you have to fish over the side?

[Pete]

I have not ever heard of anything like that.  I know that Ice Armor makes flotation clothing.  I have not ever seen of, heard of a floating ice fishing house.  Sounds like a john boat with a homemade cover and you have to fish over the side?

It may have been prototype work. I heard it from my Mom who heard it from my bro-in-law.

[BiggA]

The wilcraft is a floating ice house. Not sure if that is spelled correctly.

[DDSBYDAY]

     Wilcraft is  motorized.  You drive it out and pop up a canvas.  The Zac shack is a floating house.  You have to pull it with something.  It won't sink but I can't see that it would stay upright.  I would not risk my life to get a shelter out.    Walking out works just fine. 

[kcarder]

The wilcraft is a floating ice house. Not sure if that is spelled correctly.

Totally spaced on that one.  Such a strange but cool fishing house it didn't readily come to mind.

[DDSBYDAY]

     Silver Lake in New Brighton is froze.  I can see it out of my office window.  I wouldn't fish it but I like to see it locked up.   

[rushpointstore]

West Rush has held ice through our snowstorm, just not sure of condition or depth..we had rain, then about 5" of snow..waiting for a couple of guys to report back!

[Mayfly]

I would not risk my life to get a shelter out.    Walking out works just fine. 

Exactly!

[Retired on Osakis]

People venturing out on Lake Osakis in certain areas. Some spots still real iffy. People are fishing on Manthey's Bay on the NE. end of the lake. That's usually the first area to have fishable ice. Also just before dark I saw a couple of guys heading out from the access on Battle Point. They only went out a couple hundred feet and set up a portable.

[pickelfarmer]

5+ inches on a lake just east of detroit lakes today... Thats plenty to get out on. thing you need to watch for is nominal ice thickness. 6 inches here 2 inches there!!  I'm not real big on the ice but I love ice fishing... Would rather be in a boat but hey!! if your given lemons make lemonaid!!!

[GRIZ]

Been out trappin everyday on ice for 2 weeks. Have also fell through everysingle outting. The ice is junk particularily by cattails. It froze then warmed and rain,sleet and snow on top, ice is total junk and will be all yr. Be careful.

PS I ain't that dumb I wear my waders when trappin on this crap.

[Bufflehead]

    Wilcraft is  motorized.  You drive it out and pop up a canvas.  The Zac shack is a floating house.  You have to pull it with something.  It won't sink but I can't see that it would stay upright.  I would not risk my life to get a shelter out.    Walking out works just fine.  

 This is called a Scratcher. They use them down on the Mississippi river along the Wis, Mn boarder. I have been in one and with 5 of us in the boat. It sailed along very nicely and trasported us across the river above the dam and to the good fishing on the other side below the damn. Great rig!

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[JECAMERON]

What a beautiful machine, looks like a blast!

[DDSBYDAY]

     Now that is a very special piece of machinery.  I have got to get me one of those!!!         Somebody was on the ball.

[kcarder]

And you could use it for a stump grinder in the summertime.  Then when you are done you could go out to do a little fishing in the open water.

[whiteoakbuck]

seen a few people out of little green today and rumor is people been fishing north and south center for a few weeks now i mite go out Thursday but will only be fishing pike 40ft from shore in about 4 feet of water to big of a risk going across the lakes this early  :fishing2:

[kcarder]

I was out on South Center last weekend.  There was about 5 inches of ice there.  Still some open water in the middle.  If there isn't open water by this weekend I would be careful.  

[cannon man]

would any of you guys have an idea on ice thickness on smaller lakes around minnetonka? (for example Christmas Lake).  I wanna head out but live too far to get there and then wont be able to fish it.
Thanks

[spear foot 1]

 Ice around the st.cloud  to sauk centre area here seems to be that 5 t0 8 inch range although was on a lake last sunday with about only 1 inch and half on . One hit with the chisel and went right thru. Heard rumors about people driving on minnewaska by glenwood already. Thats scary but seems like every year they get out there early.

[whiteoakbuck]

the old man went on green wensday said 9 inches and small suv's and mini vans driving out past him me and a buddie hit big comfort yesterday had 7 inches out there but there was open water in the middle last week so still plenty of weak spots

[katfishkeith]

You are correct spearfoot, 10 inches on Minnewaska as of Tues, and wheelers going out. This lake always seems to freeze up early and have pretty good ice. It has to to support all those people. Amazing to see how many fish come out of that hole and there are still quality panfish every year.

[lhprop1]

I was on Anderson Bay on the St Croix on Saturday.  There was a solid 6", but the snow was so heavy that we were sitting in 2" of water once we popped the holes. 

With this much snow making the ice sag, I really don't see us getting 12" by the New Years.  Even then, the snow is going to be so deep it's going to be nearly impossible to drive out there, even with 4x4.  It's not looking good for those of us in the southern part of the state with bigger permanent shacks. 

[slystuff]

 :titanic:was on an alexandria area lake last wed, 8 inches on the plowed road and 4- 6 in the powder about 12 cranks with the hand auger; no fish but good quality fellowship (thanx John).

[320Tim]

I was out on Rice Lake Sunday 8-12". There was one car and a Ranger out on the lake when I left.  10 crappies came home with me. I had to sort through them and really had to work at it.

[22lex]

Was on a couple Aitkin Co. lakes on Saturday, caught about 15 northerns between the two of us and a bunch of dink perch, no size however...ice was 6-8 inches of solid stuff....so with the frigid temps and not much snow there should be a good 10-12 for sure up there this weekend.

[HappyGilz]

I was out on the Horseshoe Chain last Sunday, 7" of ice...good crappie fishing considering that cold front, most were good eaters.

[whiteoakbuck]

just got an update on chisago lake there is a good size crack of open water straight out from paradise park i guess it just rolls steam everyday at sun up so the ice is still Iffy in a lot of spots

[Brian]

I was out monday on Lake Eau Galle in Spring Valley,WI.  It had 5-6 good inches of ice under about 7-8 inches of bad ice/snow on top of it.  There was alot of slush in certain areas.  Will be back out on the lakes again tomorrow.  gonna be hitting lakes around Hwy 8 on the western side of WI.

[guythathunts]

11 inches on wigwam bay. Trucks out on the Ice. We walked. I don't like swimming in December!

[whiteoakbuck]

11 inches on wigwam bay. Trucks out on the Ice. We walked. I don't like swimming in December!

I Agree with you on that