Ice on the lake

[Banditto]

Had ice on the lake last weekend mid-MI. It covered the lake with only a small patch of open water that the ducks kept open.

And then the funny thing happened. Two guys were out on the 1/2" thick ice seeing how far they could get (2' of water for a while). They got out pretty dog-on far and then something happened they both jumped back and skittered back onto land.

Moral of the story, it won't be long at all! I am thinking 2 weeks I will post pictures of my shanty just to say I could do it. We always get ice 1-2 weeks earlier than the nearby lakes due to a constant channel of wind that blows the length of the lake.

[fishonbb]

Those guys aren't very bright even if it is shalow water. I usually get a large rock and throw out as far as i can, if it doesn't break there you go. I once seen a guy walk out and jump up and down to test the ice!:dizzy:

[brianroy6]

I read a post earlier in the week. it was two guys buddies on saginaw bay I believe. They wore waders he said lol. Also in two feet of water, could these be the same guys?

[Houghton laker]

Won't be long banditto...looking forward to first Ice up on Houghton lake....usually don't fair real good on the walleye but have a riot with the pike and crappies at first ice!

[Banditto]

Yep it won't be long. I was just on HL last weekend and you could almost taste it.

Not the same guys as Saginaw bay, but a little lake east of HL.

I just charged the battery in my Vex last weekend and it still holds a strong 13.5V charge from an over night charge so we are going to be jammin.

[duckman#1]

Looks like I'll be ice fishing before christmas at my lake near Reed City!
10 day forcast for S.W. Mi shows below freezing highs :D

[bigsid]

I'm really hoping we've got good ice in GR before Christmas. (We did last year) An old friend of mine from school (Tom, M-S member "Hipskindt") recently got back from Iraq and is coming to GR for Christmas. It's been probably about 22 or 23 years (HOLY $$$$!!!) since we've gone out and I'm really hoping the weather cooperates. I couldn't think of a better "Welcome home!" than that!

Take care...Sid

[CubanFisherman]

I'm really hoping we've got good ice in GR before Christmas.

I concur.

In everyone's opinion, how many inches constitutes "good" and safe ice? Last year was my first year, and I played it safe, waiting well into January before testing my luck on the hard water. I would really like to get out as soon as possible this year, but I don't want to take any risks. Any thoughts?

[dajumboman]

i like 4 solid inches before i go

[TheApprentice]

Most people call me nuts, but I have been out on 2" of ice and was just fine. Keep in mind that this was 2" of solid black ice though. Most people probably wait until there is closer to 4" though. I just love to ice fish and feel safe on 2" of good ice, but safer yet on 3". I have seen guys out on 1 1/2" and it looked pretty scary to me so I stayed off and just watched them do their thing. You could actually see the ice sag down when they walked. I would be curious to see what others say they would go out on. This will let me know how nutty I can be.

Ryan

[Banditto]

4" is the minimum I like to fish on, but ya I have fished on 3" or less. Heck in the U.P. we fished on float ice (not too smart).

[hoffie1]

It all depends where I fish.Saginaw bay I will fish on 2" of first ice in shallow water but I will not fish a river or deep water untill there is 4" of solid ice.

[Houghton laker]

yea I prefer a little more than 2".....3 inches makes me feel a little better !!

[SleePac]

I know I miss out on a lot of good 'first ice' fishing but I've gotta have 5-6 " under my feet before I can do it carefree!


Sid - I hope you get the ice...that sounds like a blast with a buddy you haven't seen in awhile...a buddy whose serving so that we can fish when we want to!

Later - Andy - Livonia!

[bipolaroutdoorsman]

I am comfortable once I see the first guy over 250 lbs walking around carefree, that normally happens around 2-3 inches of ice. Most first ice fishing that I do down here is on small channels anyways so I guess I feel more safe on a little less ice that the 3-4 inches it would take me on a little bit deeper water.

[GoneFishin]

If your talkin' about the Lake yours and my cabins are on I was up there yesterday and it was wide open again. :( Appears we'll have an early freeze though. :)

[bigsid]

Sid - I hope you get the ice...that sounds like a blast with a buddy you haven't seen in awhile...a buddy whose serving so that we can fish when we want to!

Later - Andy - Livonia!
Thanks Andy! Yeah, I'm hoping it works out.

I think I was the first guy out on Reeds last year and probably for good reason as there was only about 2 inches of ice! :yikes: I'm not crazy about, nor do I reccommend it, but it was good, solid, black ice and I had no problems with cracking or otherwise. However, I do agree with anyone who doesn't venture out until it's 4-6 inches as well. They'll most definitely be safe.

Sid

[duckman#1]

Hey Sid, keep us updated on the ice status on Reeds ok?

Any ice around shore yet?

[bigsid]

Hey Sid, keep us updated on the ice status on Reeds ok?

Any ice around shore yet?
Not sure, but I'll check it out tomorrow. The channel linking Reeds to Fisk was frozen last week before it warmed up, so let's hope that the lake doesn't take too long!!

Sid

[fishonbb]

WENT OUT TO DEAN LAKE JUST FOR A LOOK SEE. WAS HOPIN TO SEE MORE ICE BUT JUST SOME FORMING AROUND THE EDGES. MAYBE NEXT WEEKEND I WILL GO DOWN TO THE GUN LK. CHANNEL AND SEE HOW IT IS.

[duckman#1]

I just looked at the Fisk lake web cam and its still wide open with no signs of ice. It will be nice cheking that cam everyday to see the ice progress.

[Big Al]

My lake was froze over around Thanksgiving, opened up again, and has now been refroze for the last couple of days. I'll be checking it this weekend, I doubt there will be enough ice (I use the heavy spud test, if the spud doesn't go through then niether will I) but you never know. Hopefully we don't get too much snow to insulate the ice thats already there.

[ReddHead]

If you think the ice is too thin do what I use to do in my younger days. Take a canoe and with a life jacket and your gear. Run next to the boat but not pound your feet to the ice more slide them along and when there is no snow and the ice is slick you can make it to your favorite spot in not time. If the ice starts to sag or break just jump in and your weight is distributed and away from the crack. I also took a cinder block with rope and a paddle. The cinder block being for throwing and pulling yourself along in the event of thin ice.

[fishin'magician']

I am comfortable once I see the first guy over 250 lbs walking around carefree, that normally happens around 2-3 inches of ice. Most first ice fishing that I do down here is on small channels anyways so I guess I feel more safe on a little less ice that the 3-4 inches it would take me on a little bit deeper water.




I am that guy I always tell my buddies follow me if I don't fall through you won't.

280lb Ice checker let's go

[unclecbass]

I wait till I see the first chevrolet on the ice and then I venture out carefree.

[bigsid]

I just looked at the Fisk lake web cam and its still wide open with no signs of ice. It will be nice cheking that cam everyday to see the ice progress.
Where did you find that? I've never heard of such a thing.

Sid

[GVSUKUSH]

Where did you find that? I've never heard of such a thing.

Sid

http://www.woodtv.com/global/Story.asp?s=1708054

[duckman#1]

:yeahthat:
The christmas tree lights up at night. I guess the must of sub-murged a extension cord out to it :lol:

[TheApprentice]

With winds like this the ice is never going to form. Not to mention it is making it tough to bowhunt in 19 degree weather and winds at 20 mph. If we could get a calm night I think the lakes would freeze up overnight. From there it would only be a few days and we would be on the ice. I guess it would depend how big of a lake it is for it to freeze up in one night though. Let's all do the ice dance!

[Banditto]

Last year we had the shanty set up on Dec. 20th. We were the first on the lake, but also unsure of the ice so I spud all the way out. Good ice 3-4" all the way.

When we set up a guy on an Arctic Cat 500 ATV come riding up asking how the ice was. Keep in mind he drove over water 96 foot deep to get to me to ask that question. My answer was you should know more than me!

[bigsid]

:yeahthat:
The christmas tree lights up at night. I guess the must of sub-murged a extension cord out to it :lol:
I don't know how they do it, but it's been that way for years. Pretty cool really!

Thanks for the link Kush

Sid

[TheApprentice]

http://www.woodtv.com/global/Story.asp?s=1708054

I checked the cam this morning and I see ice has started to form. It should not be very long now if these temps stay the way they are and the snow doesn't get too bad.