Made it on the ice today.

[Chad]

After freezing my butt off hunting this AM, I went to Chippewa Lake to warm up. About 2-3" of ice. Didn't stay long because I had forgotten my life jacket, and the ice was veryt noisy (cracking). But I did stay long enough to catch a 14" LM bass. Threw him back then left for home. I'll stop back there after a few more cold days. Chad.

[hoytshooter]

I got out on the ice this afternoon as well. I went to Sunset Lk in Vicksburg, and there was 3 1/2" of good hard ice. Between my dad and I we brought home 27 gills, with several of them in the 10" range. Man I love first ice.

[jrvelie]

My buddy and I are going out tomorrow morning to Portage Lake. I heard they are catching perch and gills now.

[hoytshooter]

jervelie,

Would you please let me know how you do on Portage lake, and what the ice conditions are? I fish that lake from time to time, and like to get over to the mouth of the chanell, but am not sure about the ice conditions on the main lake yet. Klein's is where I usually fish first ice at Portage lake, but they are usually about 20 minnows per keeper. Keep me posted.

[Canuck]

Fished the Lake of the Woods(channels) both Sat. and Sunday had 3 inches of ice everyone on the ice was getting some nice gills. Our group of 4 averaged 15-20 gills each both days.

[jrvelie]

Hoytshooter

well we made it out on Portage Lake Sunday, the ice was about 3 1/2-4 inches think in the cove by the boat launch. You can not get out onto the rest of the lake yet. We did not do that good but the other guys that were out thier were pulling them in left and right until about noon. My friend and I took out a guy that had never been ice fishing before and he ended up catching a 26 inch northern. When the northern hit it broke his pole by the handle, and luckly he grab the line (which was only 3 pound line), I ended up having to use a gaff to pull the fish out for him. Must have been beginner luck. If you make it out fishing in the St. Joe or Kalamazoo county area let me know how the ice condtions are and I will do the same for you. good luck

[hoytshooter]

jrvelie,
I have been out on Sunset a couple of times, and have been doing fairly well. The ice is a good 3 1/2", and the fishing as usual at Sunset is best at the first hour of light, and the last hour of light. I was there Saturday night, and brought home 22 fish, and then Sunday morning for an hour and a half, and Sunday evening for about 2 hours, and kept 15 between the two. The fish I have been keeping were in the 8" - 10" range, and very tasty.
Good luck!