So when's it walkable...?

[Stick in Mud]

Given the forecast, it's looking like there'll potentially be some walkable ice pretty early this year. Any guesses on when the earliest pics hit the boards? I'm guessing someone will be out by this weekend. Maybe not here in the central part of the state, but the small, shallow lakes north of us just might have enough to tempt someone braver than I to venture forth.

[Fowlmouth]

I'd say 2 weekends from now, the 22nd

[aanderud]

I'd say 2 weekends from now, the 22nd

I'll guess folks will be out this coming weekend, or within a couple days after. After looking at the forecast the next 14 days, I'd guess that most of the state will be fishable by the weekend of the 22nd/223rd and that's the target date I'm setting for my first outing.

[JIvers]

It's probably wishful thinking, but if the forecast for the next two weeks is correct I may be hitting some shallow Mississippi River backwaters by Lacrosse or Winona the weekend of November 22.

I made it out on Lake Onalaska on November 30 of last year, and I know I ice-fished some shallow backwaters around Winona in late November a couple times in the 1990s and/or early 2000s, but I don't know that I was ever ice-fishing there as early as November 22.

[Naturboy]

Time to spool the reels. Happy, Happy, Happy Times!

[john.wells]

I have a feeling we will start getting news about people falling through this coming weekend.... The earliest I ever went out was November 4th, on a little lake north of White Bear Lake after the Halloween Storm of '91.

[JIvers]

I just got time off for Friday, November 21. Just in case.

My deer is in the freezer and my lawn and garden work is done, so I am ready for the ice.

[JIvers]

And yes to the first reports of people falling in this weekend.

The air temps are plummeting as we speak, and if the forecast is right they will stay low for a while, but it will take a few days for the water temps and ground temps to catch up. (Ground temps matter for ice-making, because ground temps effect water temps, most obviously at the shorline.)

[RiverChuckNorris]

I'm hoping there might be an opportunity to hit the ice in the metro this weekend in a shallower lake. Single digit lows overnight and staying below freezing are going to do some great work over the next 5-10 days!

[DrJuice1980]

Hoping for a solid 4-6" by the 21st.

[mrklean]

As long as I'm spearing by thanksgiving I will be happy

[Jarrid Houston]

Here's to hoping we don get blasted with snow and allow some time for good ice to set up first! This would make all of us at HGS very happy!!! Be safe

[lawdog]

I'm hoping there might be an opportunity to hit the ice in the metro this weekend in a shallower lake.

Just dying to be in those reports of the first people falling through the ice that everyone else is talking about?

Good grief guys, it is a long winter, don't die in November!

[grasshopper]

When your buddy leads the way and doesn't fall thur.

[Stick in Mud]

Having fallen through myself in late ice, I definitely won't be the first one out there. But I had a few friends today send me pics of lakes that had skimmed over in the central MN area, so I'm guessing someone will be fishing--or swimming--this weekend.

[Brad B]

my goal is still November 30th around my area. I have three different lakes in the area that will be the first lakes to freeze. I plan to make a scouting run in the next day or two and try and get some pics of these lakes. can't wait to get out for that first time again this year.

[monstermoose78]

My brother was up at the cabin deer hunting near Grand Marais and the hunting was not going good, so my brother and his friend decided to try some fishing thinking the lakes may still be open. They bought bait and headed out to one of favorite fall walleye lakes from shore. The found 2.5 inches of ice they did not fish because they brought the long rods.

[Stick in Mud]

Yep, looks like folks'll be out up there. Hmm....there are some good little walleye lakes that aren't *that* far into the BWCA.

[00Buckshot]

Lake Benton was froze over on Tuesday night as far as my eye could see. I will give it until Thursday and try it then. Might bring a friend along

[mwal]

This is a safe ice chart from The US Army Corp of Engineers

I wait until a consistent 4 plus inches before I venture forth

Mwal

[HardwaterHero]

No way i'd drive my diesel truck on 9 inches!

[pushbutton]

Think that chart is for objects in motion? ?

[DrJuice1980]

No way i'd drive my diesel truck on 9 inches!

Couple years ago out on Prior Lake I had 2, thats right 2, dually diesels one right behind the other drive with in 20 feet of my house. There might have been 10 inches, the ice bowed so much all my gear got wet from the water shooting up. Morans didnt go through though. No brains or Big kahunas? I'll pick no brains.

[123fish]

Lake Okabena in Worthington was capped over this morning. There will be some ice fishing going on this weekend on some of the smaller stuff guaranteed.

[JIvers]

I am guessing the "one person on foot" who can safely walk on 2" of ice weighs no more than 150 lbs.

With all my winter clothing and carrying fishing gear I probably weigh close to 270 lbs., so my minimum safe ice is 2.75", and that is new clear ice in perfect condition.