Reports

[Iceman12]

Any reports from this weekend for us guys that couldn't get out? Next weekend the ice should be good in the metro to finally get out. I can't wait.

[Dan Thiem]

Hey Iceman, I was one of those guys. I just couldn't wait!

I went to the backwaters across the bridge from Wabasha. I got a hole drilled and thought I would see how thick it really was.

Let me just say this, WHOA! Only a 1 3/4". Water started to come up on the ice from my weight being on there. Needless to say I got the heck off there and went home. Never even got to wet a line.

Your right about next weekend though, we should be sitting pretty by then.

Anybody else?

[toughguy]

Found some 3" ice in my early ice spot. I could only stay for 1 1/2 hours and didn't get a bite. I was all smiles the whole time. Nice to get out on the ice again. Like an addict getting his fix. I'll be getting out a few more times this week.

[EJ]

I could not get out, but a buddy of mine just west of Brainerd did well last night. Several 19"s and one 27" slid back down the hole. Now, he calls and says he is on his way back out to put the wheelhouse out because it is too cold to work. The nerve of this guy to keep callling me when I'm at work and telling me about all these fish. I can't wait until Friday morning when I can join him. Just 4 more days!!

EJ

[Jughead]

I got some unexpected "free time" this month due to a bad fiscal 3rd quarter. Needless to say, I have alot of time on my hands this month!

When do you think it WILL be safe (and for me, that means about 4-5") in the metro, particularly northern metro given the cold temps this week?

Thanks!

Jughead

[fuzzyray]

Got out near St Cloud and Brainerd Saturday. Found between 4-7 inches on the 3 lakes we hit. We did find some very thin ice on Lake Alexander as you moved from the bay into the main lake (2 inches) needless to say we stayed in the bay. Got a nice mess of sunnies midday. Other than that could find much for fish. Ice still can very greatly though, we found a line in the ice on Alex. 5-6 inches on obe side 2-3 on the other. Next weekend the ice should be looking pretty good with all this cold weather. Hope the fish cooperate as well.

[hogsucker]

My bro and I got out just south of Walker and had 8" of ice on our small lake. My legs are sore fom chasing flags, we landed 8 or 10 pike with a couple nice eaters in the mix, nothing huge unfortunately. Also found crappies suspended over 46', but they weren't biting well. We kept a meal and let go a dozen or so others, but they were tough. Great to be back on the ice! ~hogsucker

[Northlander]

Ice is in good shape around our parts and lots of fish being caught on Fish, Boulder, Rice and several other small lakes around here. Most of the smaller lakes like Fish ahve a good 6-8" of ice and others have a bit less. Be careful no ice is ever safe!