Once again, it is that time of the year when people are worried about the ice when it gets a bit warm. In my area, ice is 16 to 20 inches at this time. I'm all for peoples safety. But there always seems to be some unnecessary worry or even panic about the ice this time of the year. From your experience, when is it time to really be careful, and at what point should people stay off the ice?
Ice Fishing
The weather is warm! The ice is dangerous!
3/12/19 @ 3:42 PM
Displaying 1 to 15 of 43 posts
I ice fished on the Cisco Chain last wed. With heavy rains on Thurs, I said I'm done. I drilled holes out from the landing out to where I fished, about a mile out. Once I got a 1/2 mile out the ice was consistent at about 12-14", but there was that odd 1/2" of crap you fall through into 4" of water before getting to hard ice. Had a few flags, didn't catch anything, Perch-wise.
Glad you made it out N.Pike! I broke through at the landing but was able to find a spot to walk on. Made it ~20 yards out spudding and decided to punch a hole to check actual ice quality. Had 12"+ of what I'd consider fairly solid ice. Took 2 steps from there and took a swim. Made my decision to switch over to trout pretty easy!
This was also on a lake with a slight current near the landing. Plenty of other lakes still accessible but none that I wanted to fish.
Until next year, tight lines fellas!
I'm hearing mixed reports. I was out last week. Tons of ice. Shorelines great. But, things seem to have changed. Just by the looks of things, ice doesn't appear "great" anymore. But, I'm planning 2 more trips. We all probably know certain lakes that hold their ice super long and those southern shorelines can hold their ice quite a while.
I fished the mercer area friday-monday. ice is thick but soft. crappies on fire! Lakes I was on didnt have large fish but tons of 10-11" fish. The rain and heat really did a number on the ice. clear doesn't always mean strong this time of year. You could break through the frozen slush layer and go right into an old hole. getting tricky out there. I'd call it quits after the snow if I wasn't super confident in my ability to survive a dunk. The ice that is there will be gone in two weeks, its not worth it anymore
no pun intended.Personally for myself the ice is getting very iffy. I fished last Mon- Fri in Oneida and Vilas county. Lakes I fished ranged from 19-23" but it was a very soft ice. Since then we have had a half day of rain and 2 days in the fifties. Snow in the open areas really took a beating. A friend dropped an ATV through Fri on a shoreline of a very small lake,3' fow. I think I would only fish now if I see "other guys out there." They are predicting 6-10" here of wet and heavy. Be safe!
What do the folks think this snow is going to do to the ice up north? It was already starting to get soft, some lakes starting to come up in chunks when you drilled but it was still solid for the most part. This wet heavy stuff makes me a little nervous. Definitely time for the spud bar and life jacket. Any input?
Displaying 1 to 15 of 43 posts
