What a winter this has been! Should we just call it?

[leech~~]

I have never remembered a winter when so many people have lost so many trucks, cars, ice houses through the ice or forgot or lost so much fishing gear at the landings or on the highway!

Maybe we should all just call it done and save the grief?

Or call a Do-over?

[OnAFly]

I think we get a short do-over in the next few days, then it's back to our 'normal' 40F temps.

I just hope our summer temps aren't as above average as the winter has been. If they are we'll be looking at 100F+ temps...

[Bigslugger]

Can we do it over in 18 days when season closes??

[KrabbyPatties]

It hasn't been so bad if you keep it simple and do a little work. I've been walking out from landings with minimal gear and I've had none of these problems. Fishing has been OK--not as good as last year, but better than some others. I guess I don't need a do-over....I need more time to fish between now and ice out!

[cavalierowner]

It's not done for me until it's not safe to walk out. I drove out for about 2 weeks, then the landing to where I usually fish went bad. So now I'm back on foot. I just have to take it easy is all.

[dan z]

been a great ice fishing season in my books

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Keep your chin up Steve, the best ice fishing of the season is just around the corner!! I'd just about give up the whole winter of fishing (and I practically have due to work) and just take the last 3 weeks in March in the NW Angle. Best walleye fishing in the world in my opinion.

[pathogen]

It's never over til it's over. The best ice fishing of the season is yet to come imho.

[Walleye Inn]

First day of ice fishing for me was the day after thanksgiving and caught nice perch on 3 to 4inches of ice...I plan to ice fish until at least the end of March maybe into April...been a great year in northern part of MN...lots of ice and can drive almost anywhere with only a few inches of snow on the ground...err I mean its bad up here id stay down south if I were you guys...

[leech~~]

Keep your chin up Steve, the best ice fishing of the season is just around the corner!! I'd just about give up the whole winter of fishing (and I practically have due to work) and just take the last 3 weeks in March in the NW Angle. Best walleye fishing in the world in my opinion.

Ya but Jim you live in God's country and can be on the lake in an 1hr. I have to drive half way across the state to get to really good ice! But, I am not one to fold it up and will be out there untill the end. It just seems like a lot of people going in and losing their gear this year? How do you leave your auger or flasher at the launch?

[randallt]

Only problem I have had is finding time to get out. I like the fact that there aren't 1000's of weekend warriors tearing around in vehicles.

Everyone be safe and enjoy the last few weeks.

[fishersofmen]

I think it is great. Was out the last two nights and couldn't believe how piecefull it was. The moon coming up over the horizon was amazing last night!

[Bluka]

I havent heard a Fat Lady singing on the ice yet. FISH ON, FISH ON

[bbfenatic]

It has been the best fishing I have had up here in the DL area. Early ice aggressive Walleyes now Crappies are in abundance. No problem driving on the ice (at least the lakes I fish)and I have been able to venture out and find new Hot Spots; and the best is yet to come when the Crappie bite heats up even further in March. Lack of snow has kept the fish active IMO, but it could have been a little colder to make more ice is the only downside.

[Stick in Mud]

Yeah, this year has been awesome, and I can't wait for the late-ice bite to get here. It's easy for those of us who live close to lakes, of course, so sorry to hear you've gotta drive across your state, leech.

But the fishing's been amazing so far, and I LOVE the fact that there have been next to nobody on the ice. On the reef I usually fish on Mille Lacs, there are usually a hundred houses. This year there are two. TWO. And whether it's the lack of pressure or the lack of snow or the lack of ice or whatever, it's been fun so far. Bummer it's almost over.

[leech~~]

It's not like I haven't been getting out. I have been to Mill Lacs 3 times, Red Lake once & Burntside in Ely once so not feeling to bad. It's just that is about half a normal winter fishing schedule so far!

[Stick in Mud]

Ah, well that's good to hear. I hope you've caught enough to make up for it!

[bobbers_down]

It's good hearing that some have had a good season, it has been my least fished and least productive season in the last 8 years at least! I guess they kinda go hand in hand. Hoping for a chance to find some fish at late ice, either that or start getting the canoe ready for open water.

[Slabasaurus]

I don't have an ATV or Snowmobile... and the passat physically shakes when we approach water (or if i breathe on it wrong. Cripes), so this season has been great for me.

Can walk out to spots a mile off shore without too much effort draggin my otter sled, eskimo auger, [expletive deleted] cabelas hub shack...

fishing's been great too.

Although, I am a southern boy at heart. These winters and I don't get along, so I'm more than ready for open water. Until then... ice fishing will continue to help me get through these next few months. Late ice panfishing is a blast!

[muskE]

But the fishing's been amazing so far, and I LOVE the fact that there have been next to nobody on the ice. On the reef I usually fish on Mille Lacs, there are usually a hundred houses. This year there are two. TWO. And whether it's the lack of pressure or the lack of snow or the lack of ice or whatever, it's been fun so far. Bummer it's almost over.

The local merchants aren't as gleeful. Many took a huge hit with the state shut-down and now a lean Winter? I am hopeful that they can recover this Summer.