Ice Fishing

[inshore]

anyone know if the ice is thick enough to drive on yet. to lazy to carry the auger.

[Jeff Olson]

ok guys, seeing this post now I am curious. I am from WI, but have lived down here in Hollister coming up on 2 years. I really liked ice fishing but did not think it was possible down here! I have never been on Stockton but it looks pretty big. do you get some bays or coves to freeze over good enough to ice fish? I thought a guy would have to go up to Iowa to find good ice usually, but hopefully I am wrong! are there areas in northern Mo that consistently offer good ice fishing? fill me in Powerdive! thanks!

[powerdive]

Every so often Stockton will ice over, but seldom thick enough to walk on. I've heard tell of one or two people giving it a try during an extreme cold snap when there was sufficient ice in a cove, but that's just hearsay. You wouldn't find me out there, Jeff. Lake ice is too fleeting around here, and the water levels constantly fluctuate. Wait it out, and it'll be gone soon.

Gave my ice gear away when I moved down here...don't miss it one bit. I'd rather be in a boat any day.

[fishinwrench]

Never ice fished. What's the protocol for testing the thickness of pond ice before you start hauling gear out on it, and/or DRIVING on it?

Just curious.

[Jeff Olson]

3 to 4 inches was my min to walk out on, and 10 -12 before I would drive! but that depended on if it was good solid ice! I always walked or 4 wheeled out until I saw a lot of cars out. seen to many break through over the years to push it! but in the dead of winter we would have 2 to 3 feet of ice easy! for testing the ice I would carry out my heavy ice chisel and stab the ice in front of me every few steps if I was concerned. thanks Mike for the reply! I see your point with the changing levels all the time! that sure would make it interesting! and yes, it is Great to be in the boat year round! I am already fired up for the walleye this coming year!

[powerdive]

fishinwrench, the old minimums were 2" to walk on, 6-8" to drive on. And that's good clear ice. With no snow on it, you just look down--there'll be cracks that you can see, and they'll give you a good idea as to the thickness.

Keep a couple screwdrivers in your pocket, in case you have to pull yourself out. Hard to get a handhold on wet ice. And kick hard with your feet.

I miss those cold, starry winter nights when the lake was makin' ice... booms and cracks and odd creaking sounds echoing through the night. You'd swear you could feel it through your boots. Kinda eerie out there--something you never forget.

[fishinwrench]

I miss those cold, starry winter nights when the lake was makin' ice... booms and cracks and odd creaking sounds echoing through the night. You'd swear you could feel it through your boots. Kinda eerie out there--something you never forget

We were listening to that the night before last. It sounded like whale calls, interspersed with what sounded like helicopters off in the distance. It IS creepy.

[Walcrabass]

Here is my 2 cents worth on ice fishing in Missouri......DON'T DO IT...... I fell through the ice on a frozen creek once and there WAS a void beneath it. Luckily my head was still above the ice as it wasn't very deep. I broke ice a little and reached some roots on the bank and was able to get out. It made for a very cold ride home from a Rabbit Hunt. I have also Ice skated in Missouri AFTER the ice was checked for thickness by the local Fire Department. As I skated across the lake I heard "booming sounds" from below me and watched as the ice started cracking. I kept on skating and made it to the bank and then hollered for everyone to get off the ice. It all boils down to this... we just don't have the right climate or types of lakes here to make ice fishing safe. A stringer of fish isn't worth death or permanent damage to yourself or others.

[Guest]

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[Bill B.]

We ususally get plenty of ice in north Missouri for at least a couple of weeks of ice fishing. Ponds and small lakes around Columbia are safe right now, but they may not be safe after tomorrow's predicted rainfall.