Worth braving the cold this weekend?

[lrrpinman]

I've never ice fished when it is super cold. Is it still worth trying to get out sometime this weekend, or should I wait?

[zamboni]

I was wondering the same thing myself last night. I have state poker finals saturday at Morton, but was thinking about going out sunday- but this cold is something else. But to be honest, the only cold part is set-up and takedown, after set-up, getting heater going, I am fine.

[CNCMike]

It can be worth it. I have found that the bite will generally slow down and downsizing is helpful. But they will be harder to entice into biting.

[NyQuiLlama]

Once I went out in -35F with a 60mph... I don't know what that windchill is. I didn't catch anything and I damaged one of my tipups getting it out of the frozen-over hole. If I had that day back I wouldn't have gone fishing.

Other times for lake trout in Canada it's normal for us to try to start the machines in the morning in -20F, and go fishing. Just dress warm and don't look the wind in the face.

[JoeTC]

One thing to think about in this cold is your ice house. The windows can crack if you're not careful.

Joe

[DEADhead]

I've noticed coldwater species like trout aren't affected by the cold temperatures, only fisherman are. If you do go out, stay warm!

[MattNy]

just dress warm and stay out of the wind. if ur in a shack start the heater and you'll be fine.

[slipperybob]

Cold as in sooo cold that as soon as you clear the ice and the time that you bait your hook to dropping it in the hole and there's already a layer of ice stopping your bait.

[wishing for walleyes]

I just got back in from fishing.Eskimo lodge was flapping pretty good.Radio said we had gusts up to 45 mph.Only fish we seen a few small perch and a couple of crappies and they were tight lipped.Inside of the portable was nice and frosty but very comfortable.I even had to turn down the mr.heater to low.I am really thinking about getting one of those frabill r2 tec houses.The bigger one at that.Flip over and no more water dripping down on you from the roof.It will be money well spent for as much as i will use it.

[Jim Hudson]

Was a pretty good day to brave the cold... Back at it again tomorrow..

[Deitz Dittrich]

The fish do not feel the temp change.. THey will feel the pressure change. I would say if one downsized and worked the edge of structure they will still find fish. Be prepared for cold.. have enough heat, use the buddie system... Catch fish.

[Sandmannd]

Dany JKH431, thems some nice crappies.

[DEADhead]

nice crappies Jim!

[Steve Foss]

I'll be out at least one day this weekend for lakers. Lows are forecast to be -30 to -35 with highs in the teens below zero, but there's some good laker water only a couple hundred yards out of a public landing near Ely.

I'll just leave the snowmobile at home and tow the Otter out by hand. That'll get me warmed up until the heater takes the chill from the Otter.

Best winer days I've ever had for lakers were those intensely cold, clear, high pressure systems, and tomorrow will be the third day in a row of cold temps and clear weather with a steady barometer.

We'll see.

[DEADhead]

good luck Steve. catch one for me

[gman2002]

nice fish mr. hudson

[Scott K]

Its always worth it to get out, if you have a shelter and a heater, you shouldnt use the cold as an excuse.

[Steve Foss]

Well, things break at -35 that don't break at zero, so there's that to consider. But they just warmed up the forecast and now it's only getting down to -24 tonight and tomorrow night, so I'm definitely getting out.

[Kyle Sandberg]

nice fish guys. I hope to have a couple of below zero dandys too this weekend. Nothing short of a blizard (maybe not even that) will stop me from getting out on the ice.

[mrklean]

It never hurts to try, i will probably be heading out to brave the cold this weekend.

[sodajerk]

I'm going out.

Keep the skin covered when you're outside, set up the shack, start the heater and you're good to go. I've got the Ice Armor X suit and it's too warm most of the time if I'm exerting myself at all. This weekend will be the toughest test I've given it.

The barometer has been slowly rising here all day, which should bode well for the fishing.

[knoppers]

we fished in canada many times when its been this cold, but we fished for lakers which seem to bite good on the cold days. fishing outside for lakers was the norm, no matter the temp.

[Quickstrike]

I think I'll be staying inside. I just got back from a Laker trip up the Gunflint Trail and I have the Burntside Bash next weekend, so this weekend I'll actually try to do something productive around the house. I'm not afraid of the cold, but I don't welcome it either!

[knoppers]

burntside bash, yes I may finally make it this year.

[Kyle Sandberg]

Its cold out there but its totally doable. Once you get out there, start the auger and let it warm up. Then unpack all your stuff to keep moving and drill the holes when the auger warms up. I was out last night and by staying moving I stayed warm.