Hopefully there's only...

[Jack Peterson]

...10ish days until I'm out on the ice! (hopefully is the key word)

My buddies lake (12ish acres) was about half frozen over today. With depths of about 15-17 feet at the max, it's looking like it has cooled down enough to form ice.

I told him to throw some ice cubes in the lake to speed up the process. Sounds like a good idea, not?

Hopefully there are still a couple 14-16 inch slabs like last year, cuz I wanna catch em!

[bobbymalone]

...10ish days until I'm out on I fall through the ice!

Fixed it for ya

Good luck out there, bud, and stay safe.

[bak2MN]

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eelpout08]

Some people race cars, rock climb, ski in avalanch areas or pick fights with their wives, we go out on early ice. stupid? maybe, but everyone has to have something!

[123fish]

If it gets down to 7 degrees and highs in the low twenties starting next Wednesday like they are predicting we will be ice fishing the small shallow stuff by Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend down here in the far southwest corner. Yes the lifejacket will be on and the ice picks handy.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I hear ya 123. I have a favorite early ice spot pretty close to my house. Heck, iffin I fall through it will only be 3' deep but I'll have the picks and jacket with my anyway. Hopefully the KSFY weatherman is correct and it's aboot to get cold!!!!

Stay safe out there guys.

[Ryan_V]

Man, I don't know about 10 days. I can't wait either, but the risk just isn't worth it to me anymore! I do remember being out on 3-4" of ice the day after thanksgiving catching crappies and sunnies. But now with kids, I just don't her that gung ho so early anymore! Good luck to you and stay safe.

[Random guy]

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am! I let the other guides in town go out and test the ice before I go...works out well for me every year.

[tsande00]

I like 4" before I venture out by myself. 2" if I am with somebody. It's a risk I am willing to take, assuming I have appropriate safety equipment/measures...not just for catching a little dink crappie, but just adventuring out onto the early, see through ice is exciting all in it's own. You know, the kind of ice you can effectively chop through with a tent pole or a screw driver.

As Eelpout refers to, many hobbies/pastimes involve a fair amount of risk. That being said many people aren't willing to jump out of an airplane with a perfectly good parachute either, but others still do it.

Looking at the weather forecast I'll be surprised if there is two inches of ice the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

There, I finally have a goal thanks to Jack. 11/28! If that don't fly, which it probably won't, we're looking at 12/4.

[bobbymalone]

As Eelpout refers to, many hobbies/pastimes involve a fair amount of risk. That being said many people aren't willing to jump out of an airplane with a perfectly good parachute either, but others still do it.

The big difference is you can't rock climb, skydive, etc, two weeks later and have an equal experience at a fraction of the risk.

[Jack Peterson]

If you fall through the ice with buddies around, ice picks in your sleeves, and equipment to help you get out, it really isn't that bad.

Just freaking cold.

..If the ice isn't safe, there's NO way I'll be out there. I'm hoping for safe ice, not mediocre ice.

Edit: The crappies aren't dinky. Some run between 12 and 16 inches. One that was caught last year was over 16" and 2+ pounds. Worth it to me!

[tsande00]

The big difference is you can't rock climb, skydive, etc, two weeks later and have an equal experience at a fraction of the risk.

I respect your point, but I enjoy the early ice. I enjoy setting up for early ice traversing - picks, cleats, rope, life jackets, etc. It's all part of the "hunt" or "game". If people want to sit at home in the comfort and safety of their own living room that is fine too. My guess is we won't see those same people jumping out of an airplane or rock climbing any time soon either. There isn't much adventure walking out on 18" of ice...at least not on the lakes around my neck of the woods.

I love sitting out on a few inches of glass ice pulling fish through the holes...honestly much more then I do doing the same thing on 18" of ice with my truck nearby.

If you play it safe you can minimize the risk 10 fold. For some it isn't worth the hassle of playing it safe on early ice. You can play it safe 2 weeks later like you mention with basically no effort at all, other then waiting.

Additionally, with the exception of one time I've never been the first out on a body of ice. The time I did though was an awesome experience packed with rush and adrenaline that will never be forgotten...I'm pretty sure I'll never go out on ice that thin again but it was a lot of fun and everyone managed to stay dry. Oh yeah, we got skunked that time too. I'm still under 30 though, you can bet that when I'm 50 you wont find me out before December 15th.

After all somebody has to be the first out there in order for guys like you (and the majority) to know it is safe right? Who is going to report back ice thickness if we're all sitting at home?

[tsande00]

Edit: The crappies aren't dinky. Some run between 12 and 16 inches. One that was caught last year was over 16" and 2+ pounds. Worth it to me!

Touche!...I might be willing to risk my life for a 16" crappie!

Might have to take you up on the ice fishing offer you posted in another thread, lol.