Recollections of Ice to drive on

[wahoo]

This came to my mind reading a thread on where to go between Christmas and New Years. I do not wish to get into politics in regard to global warming. But am curious how others feel about the first ice you can drive on. Yes, some will answer "How much ice?" I have never driven a vehicle on a lake with which I am unfamiliar without at least a foot of CLEAR ice. "Familiar" so I have an idea of Springs, etc.

I have fished every single winter in MN for too many years. I have lived in the desert (Las Vegas) for 22 and expect to move to my farm near Staples VERY soon. But, it seems like in the 1980s I often/the majority of the time was able to drive on ice in the Brainerd area even prior to Christmas--I remember as early as December 12 on Mille Lacs. The past several years, however, it seems to get later and later.

I'd love to hear other's recollections on first drivable ice--precautions and common sense included.

Or, maybe in my old age I climbed too many hills up hill both ways in minus 30 on the way to school and it altered my actual experience.

wahoo

[gurkster]

I agree - I swear we ice-fished on solid/safe ice over Thanksgiving weekend some years when I was a kid?!?!

[ozzie]

well 3 years ago I was fishing 4 inches of clear ice around crosslake on Thanksgiving.....each year is a little different...is it global warming? I don't know but I know when the lake freezes over I will be one of the first to be out checking for strenght/solid/thickness of the local lakes. Good Luck

[Bobb-o]

I was out on the ice the day after thanksgiving in the brainerd area last year, hoping for a repeat this year

[Finlander]

I remember years back when gun hunting deer and ice fishing after hanging the deer to the tree's! First weekend too!