First Ice?

[tommyk]

Around what time does the ice usually become good enough to go out on for central Iowa ponds? Any predictions for this year?

Thanks Guys

TommyK

[Turkeynate1]

Usually we don't get safe ice here in central Iowa until around X-mas. The way the weather has been this fall I don't think we will be on the ice until January 1st!

Sorry to be so negative, but we always seem to get burned down here in Iowa. Even if it does freeze by X-mas it will end up being 70 degrees the day after X-mas and ruin the ice for the rest of the season. I'm still going to be doing my ICE Dance though.

Hopefully we are on the ice by X-mas but who knows.

Nate

[IceJohn]

Last year I was on good ice Dec15 3to4 inch clear ice .Hoping for the same time this year.But who knows THIS IS IOWA???ICE JOHN TEAM ICEHEAD

[tommyk]

Thankyou guys for the replies. Ice fishing down in Iowa is a whole different experience. When I came down end of January last year the ice was only about 10" on the pond where I was. It sure was a nice treat from having to drill through 2'-3' of ice up here. Not to mention February I was down there ice fishing in 60 degree weather ice black as could be. Did catch the two biggest crappies of my life down there though (16 1/4" & 15 1/2") and I know they get bigger!

Thanks again,

TommyK

[goodyy7]

We have such an odd ice season down here.....we always have good ice in the state ranging from south of Des Moines up, but depending on the year it is hard to tell when it comes. Now, north of the Hwy20 line the ice comes earlier and stays later and that is quite the dividing line in the state many years. Typically, I am on some central/north central lakes like Little Wall, Cornelia, Morse, etc. by the second week of December, even on "warmer" years like this year. I think this year will be the same, even with our warm weather right now. Surface temps have come down nicely and it wont take too many hard cold nights to get a thin sheet of ice started on most of those waters.....I just hope it comes sooner than later. I am afraid of Nate's predicition, so I am going to keep an optimistic outlook on things

goody

[Turkeynate1]

WOW! What a difference a couple days make. Saturday 11/12 we had upper 60's and Tornado's tearing up our state and now Tuesday 11/15 30 degrees and snowing. You have to love Iowa. An update on my prediction, I'm guessing we will be on the ice in North Central Iowa by 12/20. All these cold temps and snow has shocked me out of my pessimistic mood.

Bring on the ICE!

Nate

[goodyy7]

Ye of little faith in the ice gods

goody

[Turkeynate1]

Goody,

Trust me, I've already done the ice dance for the gods. I just hate getting my hopes up, only to have them destroyed by a 70 degree day. When are you thinking about heading to boji?

[delmuts]

it was a sad day for me yesturday! i had to accept the fact that my open water fishing may be over, and you guys may get your ice soon as i carried my open water equip. to the basement. i don't ice fish, but do hope you folks get good and safe ice this year!

[goodyy7]

Lots of reports of lakes/ponds or parts of lakes/ponds getting frozen over with a skim of ice the last two nights.......this is a GREAT sign as it means water temps dont have to come down further and the impact of one or two "warm" november days will have little overall impact on a lakes ability to form ice once cold snaps hit again. I am very excited about this....

I guess I am used to getting my hopes up and then having them crushed, so I dont mind doing it again

Del, sorry for your loss......

goody

[delmuts]

ya !! right!!!!!