Ice Fishing Anyone?

[Thunderin Gobbler]

I'm hoping to get up there and do some crappie fishing and start finding some bass here in a few weeks. The benefit tournament is just over a month away, and even though I won't fish it, I still want to bring more fish than the tourney guys.

[Huckfinn]

I'm hoping to get up there and do some crappie fishing and start finding some bass here in a few weeks. The benefit tournament is just over a month away, and even though I won't fish it, I still want to bring more fish than the tourney guys.

[creek wader]

Ok, guys. Ive done a lot of ice fishing in my "younger days". Northern states have recommendations for ice thickness. This refers to "clear" ice. It's the most solid.

Here's the

Minnesota DNR guide

General ice thickness guidelines

For New, Clear Ice Only

• 2" or less - STAY OFF
• 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
• 12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

[Huckfinn]

hey gobbler, nice to here from ya, are you talkin about 215 bridge? I wanted to try that place because thats were they start the brush piles, you hook around the bridge and there are a few piles around in there. Ive heard around the bridge its good anyway, Is it 60 ft. around there? Thats were their at I hear, But nobody has got on here and said in awhile. But my buddie only likes High Point area. I just dont see them in that shallow of water. But walleye Mike said some friends of his caught some nice walleye in High point, so thats were we proably go and save on gas,

[Thunderin Gobbler]

The Cedar Ridge area has always been a good area for crappie for me. I don't ever get to fish it this early in the year, but I've heard that you can get into a lot of crappie this time if the lake is thawed out. Last I heard, that part was mostly frozen over, so maybe one of the other guys can update you on that. Most of the piles that I know of start by the bridge and go on up around into son's creek area. There should be plenty of water for you to find them. Hopefully in a few weeks they will start moving up towards the shallower water. That's when I'll be after them.

[straw hat]

Ok, guys. Ive done a lot of ice fishing in my "younger days". Northern states have recommendations for ice thickness. This refers to "clear" ice. It's the most solid.

Here's the

Minnesota DNR guide

General ice thickness guidelines

For New, Clear Ice Only

• 2" or less - STAY OFF
• 4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" - Snowmobile or ATV
• 8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
• 12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.

Great info. While I don't ice fish I have always wondered what the state recommendations were. I know when I was working in the field as a young enginneer it always seemed easier to break white ice than clear ice. Was that my imagination? Thanks again.

[creek wader]

Great info. While I don't ice fish I have always wondered what the state recommendations were. I know when I was working in the field as a young enginneer it always seemed easier to break white ice than clear ice. Was that my imagination? Thanks again.

I'm not sure. I know that clear ice is very solid. I think the white ice has been frozen and thawed a few times and air is trapped in it. Just my opinion , though.

My first ice fishing experience was in the late 70's on a large reservoir near Lincoln, Ne. It had been below freezing for over a month, and below zero for several weeks. The ice was over 2 foot thick. We did real well on crappie. It was tough keeping the holes open and the wind chill was brutal. All fingers and toes were numb. We were young and catching fish, though.

My next experience was on a pond near Falls City, Ne. The weather hadn't been nearly as cold and the ice was only about 8" thick. I was very nervous, but we were quite safe. We caught a lot of bass and bluegill. It's a good time.

These next few days will be great ice fishing weather. The ice will still be solid and the air temp. will be quite comfortable. But, I wouldn't dare the ice, after this weekend.

[Huckfinn]

never got to go ice fishing had my kids this weekend, and had a unexpected funneral. It was in Stockton David MacMaster passed away my uncle. Did'nt fell like fishin. Its gonna thaw out thats a good thing...