So Cold

[ozark trout fisher]

I broke through the ice at one of the catch and keep lakes today, and caught one rainbow for lunch using powerbait, and released a few more on Marabou jigs. Today was one of those days where its so cold its hardly worth fishing. :cold:

[MnWalleyeGuy]

How much ice was out there?

I broke through the ice at one of the catch and keep lakes today, and caught one rainbow for lunch using powerbait, and released a few more on Marabou jigs. Today was one of those days where its so cold its hardly worth fishing. :cold:

[ozark trout fisher]

How much ice was out there?

A couple inches.

[MnWalleyeGuy]

Enough to ice fish on?

[Troutfishn]

Yeah about a couple inches but be careful as some spots are only an inch. I saw one guy with rope tied around him to a tree....Guys just wait a few days til the ice is at least 4'' but you will not see me til 6''. with temps near 0 it wont take long. Every year a few people fall in.

[ozark trout fisher]

Yeah about a couple inches but be careful as some spots are only an inch. I saw one guy with rope tied around him to a tree....Guys just wait a few days til the ice is at least 4'' but you will not see me til 6''. with temps near 0 it wont take long. Every year a few people fall in.

I wouldn't ice fish personally. Missouri ice never seems to get thick enough to be safe, and I wouldn't even think of going out there until the ice is 4 inches thick. There have been quite a few close calls out at busch by folks trying to ice fish, and a guy broke through last year. Also, I think the MDC out there takes a dim view of it.

[MnWalleyeGuy]

I usually go out there ice fishing about once a year. But I too wait for the ice to hit 4" or more. The downfall of moving here from NE Minnesota. Have all the ice fishing gear and no ice!

[ozark trout fisher]

I usually go out there ice fishing about once a year. But I too wait for the ice to hit 4" or more. The downfall of moving here from NE Minnesota. Have all the ice fishing gear and no ice!

I'll admit I've been tempted myself. If this cold snap continues like the weather guys are saying, the ice actually may get thick enough. Looking at the ten day forecast, this isn't going to ease up anytime soon. I've ice fished for trout a few times out west, and had a bit of success, but I haven't bought any special gear or anything for it. When I break through the ice from shore I usually just use a hatchet or an ice pick. It would be interesting to try at Busch under the ice, I bet if you could find some water about 8-10 feet deep the fishing would be really good.

[MnWalleyeGuy]

I've gone out at least once a year down here, and due to the proximity of Busch and my house it is an easy trip. I have all the gear, but don't look like a local when I break out my auger and electronics.....Tough to be from NE Minnesota, and love to ice fish, and live here!

I am going to check it out this week and if the ice is right, I'll be out there Thursday or Friday....or both!

[BredMan]

I would like to hear your results if you do go ice fishing at Busch. But I would rather hear them on this forum and not on the local TV news like the guy they pulled out of the ice break on Lake-24 last year! BTW - He was a loco local and not a seasoned ice fishing vet from the great white north.

Good luck, looks like the weather is definitely going to cooperate and provide enough ice thickness. For myself, I dug out my old ice skates to participate with all my extended family for some old fashion ice skating - bonfire - hot dog eating - marshmallow burning - hot beverage drinking on my bro-in-law's lake! Been years waiting on some good ice and we finally have a great opportunity.