Busch Lakes Iced Up

[BredMan]

Great attitude!

People that are uninformed are one thing; outright disregard is another. Guys like him are reason enough to be concerned about having fish to catch in the future. I know the winter Rainbows aren't sustainable and they'll all be caught. But, with this attitude, how does he treat the rest of the places he fishes?

I think the percentage of idiots is somewhat minimal at BWL but sadly the percentages increase when their illegal actions are passed on to their kids and buddies. I live relatively close to BWL and my workplace is very close to BWL so I have the opportunity to fish BWL very often. What I notice is that most people obey the rules and regulations and most of those who are uninformed are very appreciative when told the regulations. Although there is a certain percentage of scum that frequents BWL that don't read, don't care, and don't get caught. They know there is a very slim chance of being caught too. The regulations may as well be printed in braille for them. What really peeves me the most are those scum offenders that drag their kids along and teach them the same illegal ways.

[eric1978]

What really peeves me the most are those scum offenders that drag their kids along and teach them the same illegal ways.

And this was, in fact, a father/son duo. The son stared at me expressionless as good 'ol Dad enlightened us with his wisdom. That kid's got no chance.

[MnWalleyeGuy]

You guys that ice fish out at Busch are nuts..... Do what you want, but people go through every year at Busch Wildlife during trout season (luckily there haven't been any deaths that I know of, but it's just a matter of time), so you might get the idea that it isn't exactly safe. There isn't near enough ice yet for it to be even marginally safe-maybe by late December or January it might be kind of okay. To each their own, but you just might think twice before you go out there.

Ice fishing in Missouri, in my opinion, is always a little like playing Russian Roulette. Not worth a limit of stockers IMO. The possible exception to that was last winter, when it froze way harder than usual and there was about a foot of solid ice. That's probably safe, but still I wasn't going out on it. It may be just me, but the idea of dying by falling through ice into freezing cold water doesn't sound like much fun.

I don't go out until February when I know it is safe. I am from NE MN, and have been ice fishing all my life. I don't go out onto the ice unless it is a safe thickness. You may think those that us that ice fish are stupid, but you also have to remember, that those of us who have moved here, this is the only chance we get to do this down here. Last year we had a really good freeze and for a few weeks we had white ice.

I don't keep the fish I catch. I'm ice fishing because I grew up doing it, and I'm willing to bet that like the others that do it, we miss being able to ice fish on a regular basis.

I'd rather be on the ice than have to dodge some a-hole in a high powered bass boat down here.

[stlfisher]

I don't think they really like people ice fishing out their....mostly because folks around hear don't have much experience with it and can't really judge if the ice is thick enough. I am sure for someone that is experienced with it is much safer and much better than being cooped up inside. I have seen some real boneheads standing in the middle of lake a few feet from open water...not sure if that is the smartest thing. Guys have fallen in at Carondolet Park a couple times last year...fortunately that lake is like 5 feet deep so they just bashed their way out.

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't go out until February when I know it is safe. I am from NE MN, and have been ice fishing all my life. I don't go out onto the ice unless it is a safe thickness. You may think those that us that ice fish are stupid, but you also have to remember, that those of us who have moved here, this is the only chance we get to do this down here. Last year we had a really good freeze and for a few weeks we had white ice.

I don't keep the fish I catch. I'm ice fishing because I grew up doing it, and I'm willing to bet that like the others that do it, we miss being able to ice fish on a regular basis.

I'd rather be on the ice than have to dodge some a-hole in a high powered bass boat down here.

It's not that I think you're doing anything wrong exactly. Maybe since you have experience ice fishing, you can tell when the ice is of a safe thickness and can do it safely-but the fact is that the majority around here can't. I've often seen people out on ice around here that they should never dream of being on-like when it's only 2-3" thick, or towards the end of the winter, when the ice is pretty thick, but also very rotten and mushy. I'm not insulting anyone, I was just giving a fair warning that folks had better be darn sure the ice is thick enough before they go out on it-and clearly not everyone does, based on the fact that it seems someone goes through every year.

In short, this isn't northeastern Minnesota, and most years ice fishing is a pretty dicey proposition. Last year was something of an exception.

[MnWalleyeGuy]

Oh, I've seen more than a few boneheads on the ice down here too. Last winter was awesome for me. I had a blast being able to ice fish.

Funny part was I brought my power auger and was punching a few holes. I offered to punch some holes for other guys that were walking out after I had got out there. They informed me that a yankee was not going to teach them how to ice fish. Smart move on their part. So I sat there and watched them attempt to smash a hole in the ice with a rock for about 30 minutes, swearing about every 15 seconds. All I could do was chuckle.

There are some pretty strange folks out there.

[ozark trout fisher]

It looks like the ice fisherman are gonna have a little setback here-supposed to get up to 60 on Friday. Crazy stuff.

[T Hood]

It looks like the ice fisherman are gonna have a little setback here-supposed to get up to 60 on Friday. Crazy stuff.

High of 67 on Friday - 60% chance of rain

High of 36 on Saturday - 20% chance of rain

If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes...

Careful out there...

[MnWalleyeGuy]

Don't think this is going to be a good ice year. Too warm for too long.

[T Hood]

Has anyone been out to Busch lately? What's the ice situation like with the break in the weather? Please advise.

TH