Ice?

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

Just wondering how the smaller lakes around ashland are doing as far as ice goes. A buddy and I have been wanting to try some little lakes out that way, but don't really want to drive out there until we're reasonably sure there's fishable ice. Thanks for any updates...

[Jim Hudson]

Porter

I havent checked since the rains hit the begining of the week. We got quite a bit of rain!! But heard today people are out on some small local lakes and on some of the shallow bays of Namekagon. Tomorrow, I probably will go poke around and hopefully fish Sat through Tues... With the temps we have had, the lakes should be putting on inches quickly...

Prior to the rains, the most ice I found was 3" on a few smaller lakes. But most lakes had open water.

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

Thanks for the update, we'll probably get out that way either this weekend or early next week to check out a couple little trout lakes we've heard some reports from. What's your thoughts on when the wasburn area will be fishable? Never made it out there for splake last year, but hopefully that will be different this time around.

[Tom Linderholm]

I'm itching for another go with the weasel this year and wondering how the bay is starting to look? any shore ice yet? A slight skim over the bay to get the blood pumping would be great. Keep us posted Jim I look forward to another bout on the ice over in that direction.

[Jim Hudson]

Cheffery, funny you mention skim ice on the bay... I went to check some inland waters today, and when I was southbound the Ashland side was icing over out into the bay (there was already some shore ice on that side)... Then as I came back, almost all of the bay was froze over... So pray for no big winds, and it should lock in good here shortly... And then... the weasels will come out to play...

On the trout lakes, be sure to check them out good. The most ice I found today, on about 10 lakes I checked, was 4 inches. But, I did not check any of the inland trout waters with the spud...

[Quickstrike]

Don't worry Jim, porter and myself are always very safe and take all precautions. thanks for the update!!! What would be your optimistic prediction for the bay?

[Jim Hudson]

If we get no big winds, especially north... And the temps stay cold as they are, or a few days with below zero temps. We could be looking at walking onto the bay by the middle of the month..... Same as last year, the 19th or so was my first day on the bay. It went from mere inches to over a foot in two days last year. Once it freezes over, the ice builds fast out there!!!

Who knows, if things go right, next weekend a guy could be fishing off Ashland somewhere...

[scifisher]

I hope its up around christmas time. I'm really itchin to get on the early ice this year.

[Jim Hudson]

Well the ice stayed overnight, and is creeping towards Washburn... Will have to see what tonights wind does. I will be sure to keep ya all updated!!

[Quickstrike]

hey jim, do you think there is a chance a guy could get on the ice south of washburn let's say off of bono creek or that area in the next few days. otherwise have people started fishing near the coal dock out of ashland. I have tues and thursday off and am itching to grab the spud bar and ice picks again and give it a shot out on the bay. shoot me a e-mail if you want.

thanks man!!!

[Jim Hudson]

e-mail sent!!

[Quickstrike]

thanks jim, very helpfull as always. didn't make it out there today but will probally check it out later this week (thinking maybe thurs or this weekend). let me know if you get out!