ICE MAP 2010/2011 (Done for the Year)

[Jarrod32]

Northeast South Dakota: Most small lakes are locked up; larger lakes still have some open water. Richmond Lake near Aberdeen is completely iced over. Snow cover varies greatly; some lakes have significant snow cover, some lakes (like Richmond) have none.

[Gordie]

Three differnt groups of guys fishing on Little Elk out of Zimmerman today

3-4 inches of ice is what I was told by one guy.

[vexi]

Was fishing Artichoke, a shallow lake wc MN, 12 feet or less had 5 to 6 inch's every where i checked and very little to no snow cover. The fish did not cooperate though but was still fun to get out. Checked OLiver on the way home and dang near lost my ice chisel right out from the landing less than 2" there (west side of road) east side still had some open water.

[ac777]

3-4 inches on a local lake in SW MN

[fishin4fun85]

VIRG....is that a nickname for chris?

[fishin4fun85]

double post but elwood....is that elk lake by zimmerman?

[VIRG]

VIRG....is that a nickname for chris?

no been told that i fish to much like virgil ward an old fishing show from the 70's and the nickname stuck

[fishin4fun85]

haha I'm from Worthington and played hockey with a guy that we nicknamed VIRG....thought I had ya pegged....good name though

[muc33]

3 to 4 inches on East Graham Lake in SW Mn near Dundee Mn.

[jBohmer]

3 to four inches seems to be the norm so far. I was out on Demontraville, Jane, White Bear, and Silver lakes this morning checking the ice. 3 to 4 inches on all of them. Some spots looked open way out in the middle of Jane, but could have been black ice. Saw a couple of guys about to walk out o Silver with tip-ups. I think I could have fished but I am gonna wait for a few more inches first. The ice is here and getting stronger!!!

[shizzy]

tomorrow should get up to 39 and Monday they are forcasting snow/rain showers. what is all this going to do to what ice we have?

[Greg Clusiau]

Just got back from one of my "go to" first ice lakes, north of Nashwauk on hwy 65 (between Hibbing and Grand Rapids). After falling in over my knee boot near shore and getting wet (cattail area), I ventured out a little further and found 3-4" of ice but being alone, didn't want to chance it so I went home. Besides, I was a little wet. Then I get a message from one of the young guys up there that they are tip-upping where I was! So I guess it's just starting to get safe. Here's a pic of where I went through. It might just be a muskrat run??

[fishin4fun85]

must be something swimming under there....all the cattail areas should be thick with ice by now

[Greg Clusiau]

I don't know about those cattail areas. The only times I have fallen through the ice was when I used to trap and it was always the cattail areas. Too much underwater animal traffic I think.

[LeeMB]

south end of Lake Winnipeg in manitoba has a 6"of ice on it

[SFC]

I remember as a kid icefishing my dad always said stay out of the cattails-muskrat runs.

[BrdHunter01]

Yep I would stay away from cattails. As a pheasant and duck hunter I know those cattail areas don't freeze up like u think they would.... Stay safe out there!

[Greg Clusiau]

Boots are on the boot dryer now. LOL

[BrdHunter01]

I don't know about those cattail areas. The only times I have fallen through the ice was when I used to trap and it was always the cattail areas. Too much underwater animal traffic I think.

I think cattails (the roots) give off some sort of a gas or something.... Thats a complete guess but I thought I remember reading that somewhere.

[jigginjim]

I figured the thickness of the catails held in some heat. Insulating factor of snow.

[popriveter]

Went out on a south metro lake today and found 2-4 inches. It was getting thinner the further I got out. When I measured 2" I backed away slowly.

[jarhead0311]

I just drove to Monticelloe today and on the way I saw a couple of clams on Lake Marion south of Hutchinson a guy said there was 3-4 inches of ice there.

[fishinfey8]

Ok...well I got up to Duluth yesterday just before sunset. Grabbed the spud bar, ice picks,life jacket, and headed for the abbot rd launch on island. About five feet off shore there is around four inches of good ice, with two inches of slush, topped off with anywhere from 4-6 in of snow. Took about five steps further out (10 ft from shore), and found 3in. of good ice (along with the slush and snow). I didn't dare go any further and it was getting dark so I headed back home.

Today, I checked the channel in front of my dad's house (in S bay) and found four inches of good ice (+ slush and snow). Headed out to south bay where the channel opens up into S. bay and found 3.5 in of good ice (slush-snow). Went out a little further and found 2.5 in of good ice, but since I was out in the basin more, there was not much for snow or slush (thanks wind).

This is what I found on Island, I will post what I found at boulder and fish tomorrow. The slush is locking up and some spots are totally solid, but the ice IS NOT safe right now. The only places that had 4 in. of good ice were in less than 4 FOW. I still managed to put a couple tip ups in the channel, but no action. Jigged for a bit and marked some fish but no takers. BTW, I was extremely safe and careful while going about checking the ice. I didn't check any spots that were deeper than 5-6 FOW.

[Jeremy airjer W]

excellent reports everyone, thank you!!

[bk_MN_iceman]

Fished yesterday on Lake Hanska. 4.5 inches of ice consistently that I found.