So, who still has their boat out?

[mojogunter]

Pool 4 is open all year so I never put it away.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

How do you keep your motor from freezing up when you fish in the winter? How about launching the boat, what keeps you from sliding down the icy ramp right into the water?

[Nhamm]

My first year fishing in fall with boat but from what I have been told is as long as motor is in water all water drains down so will not freeze lower unit, and if little gets caught up in water pump by the time engine warms up that just thaws out and engine will start peeing eventually. Heading to river hopefully this weekend will let you know how it goes. All I can say for the ramps is let your wheels and trailer drain closest to the water as possible before pulling out and to have some salt and sand with you in case.

[reddog]

Hunted pheasants from 10 to 11:30 today.. Put the boat in at noon and quit at 3 and went back pheasant hunting. Ended up with both limits..

Love this time of year..

Too bad the sun was at my back tonight, as there was the most gorgeous fire red sunset in my mirror tonight..

[Stick in Mud]

That's a good day, reddog!

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Just got home from Minnetonka. Lots of ice where I fished and the ramp was very slick. Main lake is open, but small bays have skim ice. Beautiful night to be on the water with minimal wind and zero boat traffic. Fishing seemed to slow from last weekend, but I still had a good night of open water. Since I don't fish the rivers I'm going to keep the boat in the garage until spring.

Good luck to the guys that keep the boats going.

[scott b]

I love the look you get from people when you are towing your boat on a warm January day.

[reddog]

I love the look you get from people when you are towing your boat on a warm January day.

Or even a cold January day

[Duffman]

Saw a boat out on Mille Lacs as I was driving by yesterday and two more pulling out at the access.

[reddog]

Yesterday.

27 degrees, blowing ice out of the rod eyes occasionally.

Only boat on the water....

I love it when the jigs so deep in their mouth, you can feel the fireline drag across their teeth when they shake their head..

[mojogunter]

I fish pool #4 and launch out of everts resort. They keep the ramps open all year and keep them salted to prevent icing. The most important thing is to let your trailer drain as you slowly pull it out to keep the water on the ramp to a minumum. When you pull your boat out get it up off the ramp it is critical to lower your motor and let all of the water drain out of it. It is also a good idea to plug your livewell drains to keep all water out of the boat.

How do you keep your motor from freezing up when you fish in the winter? How about launching the boat, what keeps you from sliding down the icy ramp right into the water?

[scott b]

So there you have it folks. No need to put away the boat. Why would you need to winterize it if you're using it all winter? 28° is the temp where it starts becoming uncomfortable for me(ice in the eye guides), but I did meet up with a friend at Red Wing on a 19° morning. I take my 20lb tank and a heater with just in case.

Lately there have been lots of winter days that are above freezing.

RedDog...Please tell me that you have that picture blown up and hanging on the wall! Super Cool!

[scott b]

Should mention a down side though. Road salt on the trailer. Ugg.

[reddog]

HoTime,

No, I dont have it on the wall, but thats a good idea.... Right beside this January 4th picture

Winding new line on right now. Going again tomorrow..

[WRECKED BOAT]

I was out in chisago area and guys were trying to launch boats onto the thin ice, it was kind of comical.

[Nhamm]

Pool 1 is going to see my boat tomm.

[reddog]

Had 2 F16s do a fly by today at about 500 feet... Way cool..

[Rick G]

With it being in the 50s outside I wish I would have kept my rig out just a little longer Oh well, I'm headed to the river in a bit for a little open water fishing anyway

[jerkin'm]

Out on tonka yesterday and seeing all the waterfowl and eagles was worth it alone...