best Ice Conditions

[fishinalot]

I'm not sure where everyone has been fishing, but out here in the West Metro we currently have the best ice conditions I've seen in almost 10 years!

Its too bad that the DNR can't come up with an up to date report towards the end of February for extending the dates for certain areas of the state for leaving the fish houses out.

Seems like it happens every year, we have the best ice and we need to get the houses off.

[ice_it_06]

Agree on the great amount of ice. We seem to buy more time almost every day with these cold temps.

Will be interesting to see how many will still pull houses off/on after the 29th.

I store my houses literally 100 yards from the access I enter the lake.

Have no doubt I'll be out daily until the access does not allow or the ice. But I don't see the ice being a issue until the later part of March. Snow and severe temp changes for a extended period might cause some change, but I see driving out three weeks minimum yet.

[Jaspernuts]

I can't understand why the date is set in stone. Some years are warm and some are cold - why not adjust the date?

[Sandmannd]

Hard to adjust a date for when ice houses come off. They just do that for Muskies.

Sorry, thought I would take a cheap shot.

[fishinalot]

Next week its going to make MORE ice yet, and the houses need to be off on Friday??

I just don't understand there theory on this. It also effects our businesses, bait shops etc, because half the people are going to put most the fishing gear away.

In a way for some of the more serious fisherman with the portables... its not a bad thing.

[Nutty Fisherman]

In defense of the DNR they have to set a date and keep it. I think it would be very hard to change the dates,every year and get the word out so people would know. You can still take your hard side houses out just can't leave them on after midnight.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I agree with NF... its so hard to say... I think once they set a date they have to stick to it... And to be really honest, once we start to get warm temps.. which at this point doesnt feel like any time soon.. but, once it does warm up, shoreline ice can go pretty quick. And then we end up with a bunch of fish houses littering the lakes that the DNR would then ahve to take care of.

Like others have said.. you can still use it, but need to take it off with you. late Ice fishing can be some of the best..

[Bassman55]

The ice can get bad very quick with an inch of rain too.

[ozzie]

I love that they have a set date.....cause then all the cities disapear and the lake go quiet!!!! plus it gives us time to clean the litter off the lakes when the houses leave before the ice melts!!! Bring a garbage bag with you during late season and I bet you can fill it going on and coming off the lake!!!

[hoggs222]

So, can I go out after that date with a wheel house and spend the night in it? Just as long as I pull it off when leaving?

[hill7410]

Dont they adjust the dates for early goose hunting? I dont think it would be much different for the ice house removal, they should just leave it up the owners, they would have to pay more if they go through anyway.

[ice_it_06]

House must be off the lake @ midnight until (1) hour before sunrise !!

[tisosy11]

There is no spending the night with permanents anymore after the date passes. You must remove shelter from the ice before midnight.

[eyepatrol]

It definitely sounds like there's a lot of ice out there this year. I'll be finding out tomorrow.

However, as for the houses being off the lakes....isn't there a cutoff line where once your north of a certain highway, you still have a couple weeks before you have to pull the houses off? Can't remember right now.

[tisosy11]

yes north of 200 and 2 i believe...it is stated in other posts and on the DNR HSOforum.

Pretty much north of duluth you have until the middle of march i beleive...